Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Sithara007]

That's true and the real fact behind why South Africa did poor performance. today there was a SA20 match and Faf du Plessis,  de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Reeza Hendricks were playing there. Actually its their board decision whom they should sent for playing. But if Cricket South Africa (CSA) send them as main players then this match might be More interesting. Although some players from south Africa like Keegan Petersen, David Bedingham performance were impressed and Neil Brand was on fire who got total 8 wickets alone. And in new Zealand, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson were found in their full forum. I was expecting for century but Ravindra did double century in 1st innings. Kane Williamson also did double centuries but single century in each innings

Agreed on Keegan Petersen, David Bedingham and Neil Brand. But good performance from these three players were not able to make up for the poor form from the 8 other players. Honestly I was expecting a bit more from Raynard van Tonder and Zubayr Hamza in the batting department and Duanne Olivier/Dane Paterson. Because these players were in good form during the domestic 4-day series. But they failed to adjust to international cricket. Also, it proves that South Africa doesn't have enough depth in their player pool. 

[JSRAW]

No official news but it looks like Shreyas Iyer complained about back spasm (an unofficial term for dropping from the team)   and might not feature in 3rd test.

BCCI are still keeping things tight on squad announcements because they are waiting for updates on KL Rahul and Jaddu's injuries and we know how long it takes letters to be delivered by Indian post so reasonable excuse.  

[Bureau]

No official news but it looks like Shreyas Iyer complained about back spasm (an unofficial term for dropping from the team)   and might not feature in 3rd test.

BCCI are still keeping things tight on squad announcements because they are waiting for updates on KL Rahul and Jaddu's injuries and we know how long it takes letters to be delivered by Indian post so reasonable excuse.  

There is speculative news circling in different media outlets that are saying that Kohli won't be available for the last three test matches. Pujara might be called in as his replacement and he would be part of the team for the three tests. BCCI was supposed to announce the final squad yesterday and there was a delay due to Kohli's unavailability in announcing the names. Pujara has been in form and has won a century in the Ranji trophy so I guess if the news is correct then he would replace Kohli.   

[libert19]

No official news but it looks like Shreyas Iyer complained about back spasm (an unofficial term for dropping from the team)  and might not feature in 3rd test.

lol, I was thinking same.


India team for remaining 3 tests announced:

Rohit (C), Bumrah (VC), Jaiswal, Gill, Rahul, Patidar, Sarfaraz, Dhruv Jurel, Bharat, Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Sundar, Kuldeep, Siraj, Mukesh, Akash Deep.

Rahul and Jadeja availability depends on fitness.  Kohli remains unavailable. Maiden call for Akash deep — saw some of his stuff on YT, seems like decent bowler.

[Sithara007]

Akash Deep recently performed well for India A against the England Lions. In total, he picked up 11 wickets from 2 test matches. He opened the bowling for India A, along with Arshdeep Singh, with Yash Dayal for backup. So it was not really surprising to hear about his inclusion to the test squad. That said, England has performed quite decently so far. They had a hard fought win in the first match, and then they lost the second match by a moderate margin. The third match will take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot and a win here can put England in a strong position.

[JSRAW]

~snip~

There is speculative news circling in different media outlets that are saying that Kohli won't be available for the last three test matches. Pujara might be called in as his replacement and he would be part of the team for the three tests. BCCI was supposed to announce the final squad yesterday and there was a delay due to Kohli's unavailability in announcing the names. Pujara has been in form and has won a century in the Ranji trophy so I guess if the news is correct then he would replace Kohli.   

Virat not coming back in the team is official now. Fortunately/Unfortunately team management has moved on from the likes of Pujara and Rahane. Pujara started scoring runs and minting tons after ton but i guess it's no use and the transition period already started in the Indian team. Although i still believe that Pujara's services are needed in Australia (only).

India team for remaining 3 tests announced:

Rohit (C), Bumrah (VC), Jaiswal, Gill, Rahul, Patidar, Sarfaraz, Dhruv Jurel, Bharat, Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Sundar, Kuldeep, Siraj, Mukesh, Akash Deep.

Rahul and Jadeja availability depends on fitness.  Kohli remains unavailable. Maiden call for Akash deep — saw some of his stuff on YT, seems like decent bowler.

If Jaddu is fit then i am afraid they might drop Kuldeep. I hope they go with only 1 seamer + 3 spin allrounder and Kuldeep.

I don't understand what management is thinking. For the first 2 tests they called up Avesh and now he's out and a new guy comes in. They are not even sure about anything and worse there is no explanation coming from the management, all i see is speculation. 

[elevates]

Jadeja can bat when needed but Kuldeep Yadav cannot, his fitness is a concern and the management might not pick him in the third test. Jurel should replace Bharat as he has not been the best with his form, he is not even good in taking DRS calls. The problem is with the middle order and Kohli's replacement. I haven't found anyone suitable except KL Rahul. I doubt he would bat in that order if he is fit as he has been batting really well in the 5th position. Kohli missing out all the matches means something serious has happened in his personal life. I hope he gets out of the problem and get ready for the T20 world cup.

[fuguebtc]

Jadeja can bat when needed but Kuldeep Yadav cannot, his fitness is a concern and the management might not pick him in the third test. Jurel should replace Bharat as he has not been the best with his form, he is not even good in taking DRS calls. The problem is with the middle order and Kohli's replacement. I haven't found anyone suitable except KL Rahul. I doubt he would bat in that order if he is fit as he has been batting really well in the 5th position. Kohli missing out all the matches means something serious has happened in his personal life. I hope he gets out of the problem and get ready for the T20 world cup.

With the T20 World Cup coming up I hope all the major players will be ready to play. Virat Kohli missing out on all the matches is definitely a little concerning. But I am not sure if anything in his personal life actually happened or something. I have no idea about that. But I hope he will be able to play without any problems in the World Cup. Because we know how hard it is to replace a player like him.

Jadeja might not be a better bowler than Kuldeep Yadav but he is definitely a better all rounder and he can also throw the ball very well from almost anywhere, bringing in a run out from nothing.

[JSRAW]

Jadeja can bat when needed but Kuldeep Yadav cannot, his fitness is a concern and the management might not pick him in the third test. Jurel should replace Bharat as he has not been the best with his form, he is not even good in taking DRS calls. The problem is with the middle order and Kohli's replacement. I haven't found anyone suitable except KL Rahul. I doubt he would bat in that order if he is fit as he has been batting really well in the 5th position. Kohli missing out all the matches means something serious has happened in his personal life. I hope he gets out of the problem and get ready for the T20 world cup.

We don't know what kind of wicket they are preparing atm but traditionally Rajkot is a batting track and batters enjoy scoring runs there so you need all your big guns who are doing well with the ball.

If it's a flat wicket then you must play your 5 main bowlers who can take 20 wickets. It's their job to assess the pitch and go with the right combination, be it 4 spinners + 1 seamer or 3 spinners + 2 seamers. In the latter combination, they should replace Jaddu with the Axar, not Kuldeep.

Kuldeep didn't do anything wrong and bowled exceptionally well in the last test so it'd be unfair for management to drop him, only because batters are not doing their job and they want to strengthen their batting lineup. The top order and middle order need to step up and score some runs for a change. How many times do they want number 7-8-9 to save their bum? The lower order has been doing heavy lifting for the last 3-4 years with the ball and bat.

Also if it's not a spinning track then bring Jurel as he's handy with the bat but we never know what management is thinking as the Rohit-Dravid duo is following a defensive strategy.

[Haunebu]

I don't understand what management is thinking. For the first 2 tests they called up Avesh and now he's out and a new guy comes in. They are not even sure about anything and worse there is no explanation coming from the management, all i see is speculation. 

It looks like Kohli might miss out on the entire series and the rumors might be true after all which sucks since he is a game-changer especially in the test and ODI formats in my opinion.

Also, I guess management is bamboozled at the moment because they didn't so many major players to get injured/become unavailable simultaneously.

[Sithara007]

It looks like Kohli might miss out on the entire series and the rumors might be true after all which sucks since he is a game-changer especially in the test and ODI formats in my opinion.

Also, I guess management is bamboozled at the moment because they didn't so many major players to get injured/become unavailable simultaneously.

A lot of drama regarding Kohli's absence for the remainder of the series. AB de Villiers was forced to apologize, after Kohli fans targeted him for claiming that Virushka's "second child is on the way". He made the claim through YouTube, and offered the apology in the same platform itself. BCCI is also quite tightlipped. Official statement claims that Kohli will be absent for "personal reasons". Kohli and Anushka were supposed to attend the pran prathistha function in Ayodhya Sriram Mandir (22nd January), but they withdrew at the last minute citing the same reason. 

[Bitcoin Smith]

Kuldeep didn't do anything wrong and bowled exceptionally well in the last test so it'd be unfair for management to drop him, only because batters are not doing their job and they want to strengthen their batting lineup. The top order and middle order need to step up and score some runs for a change. How many times do they want number 7-8-9 to save their bum? The lower order has been doing heavy lifting for the last 3-4 years with the ball and bat.

Also if it's not a spinning track then bring Jurel as he's handy with the bat but we never know what management is thinking as the Rohit-Dravid duo is following a defensive strategy.

I would still prefer Kuldeep to be in the playing XI because finger spinners are wicket takers and in flat wickets like Rajkot they might needed him badly even if one or two partnership builds up.

And I am really concerned about Rohit's test form too because it's depleted completely and he has to step up like what he did in WC then only the middle order might regain their confidence. If Iyer is not playing I strongly prefer Pujara to be played but as said Team management is looking for the future talents but they failed to make it in the Balanced way.

[Sithara007]

I would still prefer Kuldeep to be in the playing XI because finger spinners are wicket takers and in flat wickets like Rajkot they might needed him badly even if one or two partnership builds up.

And I am really concerned about Rohit's test form too because it's depleted completely and he has to step up like what he did in WC then only the middle order might regain their confidence. If Iyer is not playing I strongly prefer Pujara to be played but as said Team management is looking for the future talents but they failed to make it in the Balanced way.

Akash Deep  maybe making his debut and that means that two pacers will be in the playing XI (Akash and Jasprit Bumrah). For the spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel are almost certain to be included. And this creates uncertainty for Kuldeep Yadav (also Washington Sundar is in the squad as well). In case Ravindra Jadeja is not fit, then he may get a chance. And I don't understand your post about Pujara. He is not even in the squad. Iyer maybe replaced by either Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan.   

[JSRAW]

~snip~.

A lot of drama regarding Kohli's absence for the remainder of the series. AB de Villiers was forced to apologize, after Kohli fans targeted him for claiming that Virushka's "second child is on the way". He made the claim through YouTube, and offered the apology in the same platform itself. BCCI is also quite tightlipped. Official statement claims that Kohli will be absent for "personal reasons". Kohli and Anushka were supposed to attend the pran prathistha function in Ayodhya Sriram Mandir (22nd January), but they withdrew at the last minute citing the same reason. 

IMO BCCI is doing alright on keeping its lips sealed and not leaking any sort of news, considering Indian media's hunger for TRP is never ending affair and respecting someone's personal space is an alien concept to them. 

~snip~

I would still prefer Kuldeep to be in the playing XI because finger spinners are wicket takers and in flat wickets like Rajkot they might needed him badly even if one or two partnership builds up.

And I am really concerned about Rohit's test form too because it's depleted completely and he has to step up like what he did in WC then only the middle order might regain their confidence. If Iyer is not playing I strongly prefer Pujara to be played but as said Team management is looking for the future talents but they failed to make it in the Balanced way.

Small correction; Kulee is a wrist spinner, not off spinner.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the Indian batting lineup is in a transition period and management has moved on from Pujara-Rahane and there is virtually no chance for comeback. Although there might be a slight possibility of some window opening for Away BGT but again for this, all new guys need to perform badly.

After Pujara-Rahane, a discussion on Rohit will come up if he keeps failing with the bat. He has 2 years of test cricket left at best anyway, given he's in form.

[fuguebtc]

I would still prefer Kuldeep to be in the playing XI because finger spinners are wicket takers and in flat wickets like Rajkot they might needed him badly even if one or two partnership builds up.

And I am really concerned about Rohit's test form too because it's depleted completely and he has to step up like what he did in WC then only the middle order might regain their confidence. If Iyer is not playing I strongly prefer Pujara to be played but as said Team management is looking for the future talents but they failed to make it in the Balanced way.

Small correction; Kulee is a wrist spinner, not off spinner.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the Indian batting lineup is in a transition period and management has moved on from Pujara-Rahane and there is virtually no chance for comeback. Although there might be a slight possibility of some window opening for Away BGT but again for this, all new guys need to perform badly.

After Pujara-Rahane, a discussion on Rohit will come up if he keeps failing with the bat. He has 2 years of test cricket left at best anyway, given he's in form.

I think this should be a pretty easy situation to think about. If you think you will need the spin of Kuldeep Yadav more you should go for him. Or if you think that you will need the the all-round performance of Jadeja, along with his great fielding you go for him.

But then you will have to sacrifice the wrist spin. Honestly, I think as this is the test format it will be better if they go for the wrist spinner. He will definitely be more useful. If this was a shorter format, I would have said Jadeja would be more useful.

[Bitcoin Smith]

Akash Deep  maybe making his debut and that means that two pacers will be in the playing XI (Akash and Jasprit Bumrah). For the spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel are almost certain to be included. And this creates uncertainty for Kuldeep Yadav (also Washington Sundar is in the squad as well). In case Ravindra Jadeja is not fit, then he may get a chance. And I don't understand your post about Pujara. He is not even in the squad. Iyer maybe replaced by either Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan.   

If I am not wrong the squad announced is only for the first two matches and the remaining three matches we will see some changes in the squad that is why I said Pujara might be considered due to the absence of Virat.

Small correction; Kulee is a wrist spinner, not off spinner.

After Pujara-Rahane, a discussion on Rohit will come up if he keeps failing with the bat. He has 2 years of test cricket left at best anyway, given he's in form.

My bad, I've made mistake.

Already we can see discussions about Rohit on social media from former cricketers but he has the remaining three matches to prove his form for the test format. Or it is the time to bring new captain for the test format which is also indeed to make great transition.

[JSRAW]

^^ I believe he would get next 2 home series as well to come back in form and even if he doesn't then there is a high possiblity of management sticking with him because atm there is no captaincy option, unless they go back to kohli. It'd be wonderful but very unlikely.

[Bitcoin Smith]

^^ I believe he would get next 2 home series as well to come back in form and even if he doesn't then there is a high possiblity of management sticking with him because atm there is no captaincy option, unless they go back to kohli. It'd be wonderful but very unlikely.

What about Bumrah? He is at his prime, and it's long due from team India to have a bowler as a captain.

Bumrah showed his skill in India as well as in SENA even in his short test career, and it looks like he definitely interested in Leading MI after Hitman and that is why he emote heart Break when Pandya announced as the next captain.

[JSRAW]

^^ I believe he would get next 2 home series as well to come back in form and even if he doesn't then there is a high possiblity of management sticking with him because atm there is no captaincy option, unless they go back to kohli. It'd be wonderful but very unlikely.

What about Bumrah? He is at his prime, and it's long due from team India to have a bowler as a captain.

Bumrah showed his skill in India as well as in SENA even in his short test career, and it looks like he definitely interested in Leading MI after Hitman and that is why he emote heart Break when Pandya announced as the next captain.

Tricky one IMO.

He's a good candidate for captaincy but he's kind of fragile and prone to injury. If he's not playing any T-20-ODI then he could be a good asset as captain for team India but the way the ICC tourney popping up every year and considering the Indian team's FTP it's tough for a fast bowler.

[Jateng]

New Zealand and South Africa both are good team. They have popular batsman as well as skillful bowlers. But new Zealand New Zealand won by 281 runs. Winning difference was huge. South Africa failed to perform good in batting and bowling because their cricket board didn't sent experienced players in their squad to play with new Zealand. Most of South African players in squad, are newbie who played 2/3 Test matches only. So what could we expect from them while their experience players are busy to playing in SA20 (T20 franchise cricket tournament). Otherwise maybe new Zealand were won also but run difference hadn't a huge like 281 runs. But i must say, contribution of Kane Williamson and youngster Rachin Ravindra, is unforgettable and Rachin Ravindra would be another legend in upcoming days in new Zealand cricket history.

South Africa give poor performance in First test match they all out 162 runs in first inning of match and in second inning they scored 241 runa and lost this match by huge margin. New Zealand lead the series by 1-0 after winning the first match against South Africa. I think South Africa will bounce back in second test match that start from 13 February and they will try to win this match and level the series.