India v SA test / ODI series preview & squad news

[dani2k]

Now that the Bangladesh series has been done and dusted with, India would turn their collective focus to the series of the year from an Indian perspective. It is the battle for the # 1 slot and should be very exciting for a cricket lover (Indian or otherwise).

India is sure to miss the "Wall" to a great extent and Yuvi to a lesser extent. VVS' availability is doubful too and the absence of these players will no doubt take off a bit of sheen on the otherwise exciting series.

I am disappointed to a certain extent that we would be missing these players, but at the same time very excited to see that some new faces/discards would be given chances. The fact that the players got injured while playing for the nation (and test matches) is satisfying and comforting (rather than getting injured in tournaments like the IPL)It is also a God sent opportunity to try out new combinations

My wishlist for the series
1) I would like to see Irfan Pathan instead of Yuvi. He will not do too bad compared to Yuvi at that position and his bowling would be a plus. He is in reasonably good form (both bowling and batting) in domestic Cricket. If he performs that is a bonus for India in the long run as we need to look out for more bowling options to sustain being #1.

2) Drop Bhajji and go with Mishra and Ojha. Bhajji's is too short on form and confidence. Needs a break (I also know that this is unlikely to happen though..)

3) My first choice for filling up the vacant slot left by Dravid would be Badrinath as he is a solid batsman and good in domestic conditions. He has strived hard in the domestic circuit and is consistent. Having said that I will be only disappointed a little if Pujara or Kohli get picked instead. Kaif is an option, but I would rather give that spot to a new comer.

4) Murali Vijay deserves to be persisted with.

5) I don't see any changes in the fast bowling line up. Zak is indispensable and Ishant seems to be coming back to form though his pace is pathetic.

I expect pitches assisting spin for the two match series and a scoreline 1-0 in India's favor (just enough to keep them on top)

So my starting line up would be
1) Sehwag
2) Gambhir
3) VVS/Badrinath
4) Tendulkar
5) Vijay
6) Dhoni
7) Irfan
8) Zaheer
9) Mishra
10) Ishant
11) Ojha

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Latest ICC Test ranking points -

India - 125

S.A. - 120


Difference of 5 points :yahoo :yahoo

[afridi_captain]

I think its gonna be a tight contest. However South Africa deosn't have a good bowling attaack anymore. On paper India should win but hay this is SA we talkin about they could even do a series wipe of india.

[bantu]

Latest ICC Test ranking points -

India - 125

S.A. - 120


Difference of 5 points :yahoo :yahoo
Yipee............. :108: :108: :108: need moe points

[Amjid Javed]

Should be a good 2 test matches, Both teams will have worries though about their respective bowling line ups taking 20 wickets cheaply in a test

[Random Aussie]

Go my mighty Saffer boys!! CRUSH THEM like the pretenders they are!!

2-0 to us, no doubt about it.

[Afridi_Fan]

Go my mighty Saffer boys!! CRUSH THEM like the pretenders they are!!

2-0 to us, no doubt about it.

How dare you call the No 1 ranked team in the world with a bowler who bowls at (or tries to bowl atleast) 100 MPH as pretenders?

:pissed: :pissed: :pissed:

[Garuda]

Go my mighty Saffer boys!! CRUSH THEM like the pretenders they are!!

2-0 to us, no doubt about it.


Just you wait prof. RA, Just you wait. :inti

[siimo]

India's bench strength is going to be tested that's for sure with all the injuries. I think they will rely on the openers to deliver, the opening partnership could be make or break between putting up a good total or a collapse.

I wish this was a 3-4 test series as opposed to just two.

[Garuda]

I feel this series would be Indian openers Vs SA.

With Dravid & Laxman out, it will depend a lot on Gauti & Viru. Though Vijay and Badri have shown that they are good but can't depend on them and SA bowlers would be too good for them.

So too much depends on our rocking openers.

[Garuda]

India's bench strength is going to be tested that's for sure with all the injuries. I think they will rely on the openers to deliver, the opening partnership could be make or break between putting up a good total or a collapse.

I wish this was a 3-4 test series as opposed to just two.


Are you a mind reader? How did you write the same thing I was also posting. :13:

[Random Aussie]

In seriousness, this should be a really interesting series.

This is the real test of India's number 1 ranking, these series home and away against the Saffers who are a top side.

2 Test series may work against India because they are always very poor starters to series, takes them a while to warm up. Let us all hope there is no pitch doctoring going on.....spinning pitches yes, minefield when India is behind in the series please no.

[OZGOD]

I'm definitely looking forward to this series. Shame it's only two Tests though.

[tdigi]

Well this article sums up the possible replacements:

Young Indian aspirants for SA series

Injuries to Dravid, Laxman and Yuvraj ahead of the Test rubber against SA has opened the door for young players to claim places in the squad.
Dravid and Yuvraj Singh, who were injured in the course of the second Test now in progress in Mirpur against hosts Bangladesh, are virtually out of the opening match against South Africa commencing on February 6 at Nagpur.

There's also a question mark over Laxman's availability after he missed the Mirpur game due to a finger injury and suddenly the middle order shows a huge void that the selectors would find hard to fill. The front runners for taking up the slots that would become vacant due to the likely absence of these main batsmen are Subramaniam Badrinath, who has been with the team in home ties without getting a look-in, one-day specialists Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and young talent Manish Pandey of Karnataka.

Right-handed Badrinath, the Tamil Nadu and South Zone captain who is on the wrong side of the 20s in age, has vast experience in first class cricket and has scored over 5,000 runs in domestic cricket and is the most steady of the quartet. Raina, Sharma and Kohli have shown what they are capable of in the limited-over games with their bold strokes and have recently displayed maturity to play the longer version of the game in domestic cricket.

Pandey, in the early 20s like Sharma and Kolhi, has suddenly jumped into the fray after his splendid display for his state team Karnataka in this year's Ranji Trophy, especially in the thrilling final at Mysore against eventual champions Mumbai with a fighting second innings hundred that took the home team on the doorsteps of victory. And then there's the option for the selectors to fall back on Mohammed Kaif of Uttar Pradesh if they want an experienced man to prop up the middle order which looks shorn of the needed steel to counter the SA pace attack.

Kaif had an ordinary run in the Ranji Trophy for UP who made the semis before losing to Karnataka. But the one-day discard's double century in the Duleep Trophy quarter final against East Zone in Mohali followed by the gritty 112 on the opening day of the semi final against South Zone at Indore yesterday that lifted Central from a deep rut has suddenly pitch-forked him into the reckoning.

There is also the option of including regular India 'A' players Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, both of who have scored consistently in domestic cricket and would be in consideration. How many from this lot make it to the squad would depend on the fitness of Laxman whose finger injury needed ten stitches to mend.

At the moment it seems both Dravid, whose jaw was broken while batting against Bangladesh at Mirpur and was hospitalised, and Yuvraj, who has sustained a wrist injury, cannot be considered at least for the Test opener. Murali Vijay, who replaced Laxman in the Mirpur Test, is also expected to be retained in the full squad as the third-choice opener behind Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

In bowling, there's an injury doubt over pacer S Sreesanth after the Kerala bowler sustained a torn hamstring during the Test rubber in Bangladesh and was sent home after the opener in Chittagong. He's unlikely to be fit for the opening match against SA. Young Karnataka pacer Abhimanyu Mithun, who has been very impressive with his extra pace right through the season and was the top wicket taker in Ranji Trophy, appears a ready-made replacement choice for the selectors for Sreesanth as both are right arm bowlers. There are also other options like Sudeep Tyagi of UP.

The spin department too has not performed up to the mark with spearhead Harbhajan Singh not showing signs of leading the pack in the expected fashion. A game of musical chairs is also being played amongst leg spinner Amit Mishra and left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha with the former dropped controversially for the second Test in Mirpur despite having taken seven wickets and done well with the bat in the first Test in Chittagong against Bangladesh.

With Mumbai having won the Ranji title for the 39th time, there would be extra pressure on the selectors for including another player from domestic cricket's traditional power house. With the spinners not really dominating the rival batsmen of late, they could be tempted to have another look-in at Romesh Powar, the one-day discard from the domestic champions who can be handy with the bat too.

Cricket Board's secretary N Srinivasan had said in a media release that the selectors would choose the team for both the Tests. But in the light of the injuries sustained by Dravid and Yuvraj subsequently it's to be seen whether the selectors would pick the squad only for the opening match against SA.

The second Test against the Proteas is to be held at Kolkata's Eden Gardens from February 14. The five-man selection panel headed by Krishnamachari Srikkanth, would also pick the Board President's squad for the two-day warm-up tie against SA at Nagpur scheduled on February 2 and 3.

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/news/detail/item386918/

[Bublu Bhuyan]

I feel this series would be Indian openers Vs SA.

With Dravid & Laxman out, it will depend a lot on Gauti & Viru. Though Vijay and Badri have shown that they are good but can't depend on them and SA bowlers would be too good for them.

So too much depends on our rocking openers.
Laxman ain't out. Just Dravid and Yuvraj.

[giri26]

After Mickey Arthur resigned as the SA coach, England's Michael Vaughan comes to the media and says, Kirsten would be perfect for SA. I am just wondering why is Vaughan so concerned about SA's coach? :13:

I hope Kirsten doesn't get the job for India's sake. I would not blame him if he puts his country first.

[abdul2009]

kirsten is a cool cat.... he aint foolish to leave bcci where he gets tons of money compared to the charity work he has to do in RSA

[anakin]

kirsten is a cool cat.... he aint foolish to leave bcci where he gets tons of money compared to the charity work he has to do in RSA

But Country usually comes first, People have passion for their own country. But Kirsten is having a smooth sailing with India, he won't enter a troubled CSA.

[Amjid Javed]

I wonder if India will order the groundsmen to make two dustbowls at the venues the games are due to be played at? :)

[anakin]

I wonder if India will order the groundsmen to make two dustbowls at the venues the games are due to be played at? :)

and if Indian batsman score, that will be on flat bed when the SAffers bat it would be dustbowl. Right??

[jusarrived]

I wonder if India will order the groundsmen to make two dustbowls at the venues the games are due to be played at? :)


I hope they do , SA or Aus cant play spin isnt exactly our problem

[Bublu Bhuyan]

When Sachin was about 18-19, he scored a century on a lightning fast Perth pitch. The year was 1992. At that time Perth was truly lightning fast. Till this day many cricket analysts including Richie Benaud consider that particular innings to be the best ever innings played by a youngster in Test cricket. At that time we didn't whine and moan about the fast tracks prepared by other nations. Did they consider our home conditions and prepare pitches suited to us ? We accepted it and made it a benchmark of a batsman's ability.

But when they tour us, it's always about dust bowls and turning tracks. What do they expect ? Do they want us to prepare tracks suited to their home conditions ? The test of Asian players is to perform outside the subcontinent. Likewise the test of players from outside the subcontinent is to perform in Asia. Simple !!

[tdigi]

^ Bublu has spoken wise words. I agree.

[giri26]

When Sachin was about 18-19, he scored a century on a lightning fast Perth pitch. The year was 1992. At that time Perth was truly lightning fast. Till this day many cricket analysts including Richie Benaud consider that particular innings to be the best ever innings played by a youngster in Test cricket. At that time we didn't whine and moan about the fast tracks prepared by other nations. Did they consider our home conditions and prepare pitches suited to us ? We accepted it and made it a benchmark of a batsman's ability.

But when they tour us, it's always about dust bowls and turning tracks. What do they expect ? Do they want us to prepare tracks suited to their home conditions ? The test of Asian players is to perform outside the subcontinent. Likewise the test of players from outside the subcontinent is to perform in Asia. Simple !!


To be frank its like playing every Grand Slam on grass in tennis. Every surface in tennis requires different skill levels to play on. Clay and Grass require different skills than the Hard courts. Only in cricket we whine about playing on different surfaces and complain about one type of pitch is better than others.

Like I said previously, if every country has to prepare same type of wickets then might as well assemble every one in one place and play the games there. Why does everyone need to travel to different countries? What is the use of home advantage? If Argentina or Spain play USA in Davis cup, would they play on grass or hard court? If India can be criticized for playing poorly in Jo'berg or Durban, SA should be for their inability to tackle turning tracks.

[Bublu Bhuyan]

Like I said previously, if every country has to prepare same type of wickets then might as well assemble every one in one place and play the games there. Why does everyone need to travel to different countries? What is the use of home advantage? If Argentina or Spain play USA in Davis cup, would they play on grass or hard court? If India can be criticized for playing poorly in Jo'berg or Durban, SA should be for their inability to tackle turning tracks.
Spot on !! If every Test match needs to played on the same type of tracks then why's the need for countries to tour ? ICC can build a particular stadium or two and let all the Test matches be played there.

[Random Aussie]

When Sachin was about 18-19, he scored a century on a lightning fast Perth pitch. The year was 1992. At that time Perth was truly lightning fast. Till this day many cricket analysts including Richie Benaud consider that particular innings to be the best ever innings played by a youngster in Test cricket. At that time we didn't whine and moan about the fast tracks prepared by other nations. Did they consider our home conditions and prepare pitches suited to us ? We accepted it and made it a benchmark of a batsman's ability.

But when they tour us, it's always about dust bowls and turning tracks. What do they expect ? Do they want us to prepare tracks suited to their home conditions ? The test of Asian players is to perform outside the subcontinent. Likewise the test of players from outside the subcontinent is to perform in Asia. Simple !!

As usual, missing the point in your strident defence. Nobody expects Indian wickets not to spin. I hope they do spin. What people object to is the Indian attitude to their home pitches is that they can prepare whatever wicket they want to suit their strategic objectives in a series.

For example
Test 1 flat pitch - India win then Test 2 will be flat pitch
Test 1 flat pitch - India lose then Test 2 will be minefield that lasts 3 days and captain pays cash reward to the curator

Comprendhe?

[dani2k]

^^RA..Surprising that you did not apply the same yardstick to the just concluded SA-Eng series when SA asked for a pacy pitch to square the series. England were shot out for little and SA as expected squared the series. Micky Arthur said "It is time to throw caution to the wind" when asked about the instructions to prepare a pitch that suited their requirements at that time.

So in my view SA would be hyprocitical if they still harp about the Kanpur pitch when they applied the same tactics when they were under pressure.

[Bublu Bhuyan]

1st Test Squad:

MS Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, S Badrinath, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Sudeep Tyagi, Abhimanyu Mithun, Wriddhiman Saha.

[Genghis]

Both are very strong on paper! Both have very strong batting lineups. India has the superior spin bowlers whereas SA has the advantage with its pacers.

Could really go either way and makes for an exciting series.

[dani2k]

^^ Squad has a few surprises. Saha in and Karthik out? Any idea about Saha's domestic form? Badri in as expected. Whether he would get to play is another question. Mithun a welcome addition to the squad as he was exceptional in the domestic circuit. Don't think he too will play though.

I hope they play Badri instead of Vijay in the middle order for the simple reason that the latter is a natural opener. There is no need to convert him to be a middle order batsman as we don't have quality openers in the domestic circuit and if at all our first choice openers are not available, we need Vijay desperately. That would be fair on Badri too as he has performed consistenly and patiently all these years for one opportunity to prove him.

Now that he might is more likely to get a spot after years of toil he should grab it with both hands and prove his mettle. God knows how many more chances he would get given the packed Indian middle order.

For the remaining vacant middle order slot, playing Dhoni as a pure batsman looks an option as well. Saha can keep if Dhoni wants to rest his back.

I am disappointed that Irfan hasn't been picked but maybe the conditions where the tests would be played didnt warrant that.

All in all I am happy with the squad.

[ace2705]

As usual, missing the point in your strident defence. Nobody expects Indian wickets not to spin. I hope they do spin. What people object to is the Indian attitude to their home pitches is that they can prepare whatever wicket they want to suit their strategic objectives in a series.

For example
Test 1 flat pitch - India win then Test 2 will be flat pitch
Test 1 flat pitch - India lose then Test 2 will be minefield that lasts 3 days and captain pays cash reward to the curator

Comprendhe?

^^RA..Surprising that you did not apply the same yardstick to the just concluded SA-Eng series when SA asked for a pacy pitch to square the series. England were shot out for little and SA as expected squared the series. Micky Arthur said "It is time to throw caution to the wind" when asked about the instructions to prepare a pitch that suited their requirements at that time.

So in my view SA would be hyprocitical if they still harp about the Kanpur pitch when they applied the same tactics when they were under pressure.

bit your tongue their, didn't you RA? :14:

[Luton Bad Boy]

bit your tongue their, didn't you RA? :14:

The home team can do as they please with their pitches..

Isn't that the point of playing against a team at home in alien conditions.

[Bublu Bhuyan]

The home team can do as they please with their pitches..

Isn't that the point of playing against a team at home in alien conditions.
Exactly. As long as the pitch is not dangerous to play. Or else why would playing in different conditions be the benchmark of a batsman's greatness ?

[Random Aussie]

bit your tongue their, didn't you RA? :14:

No ulloo, only just saw the post

[Random Aussie]

^^RA..Surprising that you did not apply the same yardstick to the just concluded SA-Eng series when SA asked for a pacy pitch to square the series. England were shot out for little and SA as expected squared the series. Micky Arthur said "It is time to throw caution to the wind" when asked about the instructions to prepare a pitch that suited their requirements at that time.

So in my view SA would be hyprocitical if they still harp about the Kanpur pitch when they applied the same tactics when they were under pressure.

Didn't know that Dani and fair enough, I agree totally if what you say is true.

[Random Aussie]

The home team can do as they please with their pitches..

Isn't that the point of playing against a team at home in alien conditions.

Dunno, I though the idea was to have a good game of cricket otherwise why not just make a gravel pitch?

[tdigi]

No ulloo, only just saw the post
:)) he'll hit back calling you a drongo...

[Ayyub]

i see south africa losing the match badly because india is in best form and i hope they deliever well in time .

My Indian line up :-

1.Virender Sehwaq
2.M.Vijay
3.Gautam Ghambir
4.S Badrinath or V.V.S Laxman
5.Sachin Tendulkar
6.M.S.Dhoni
7.W.Saha ( wicket keeper )
8.Zaheer Khan
9.Ishant Sharma
10.Harbhajan Singh
11.Amit Mishra

i will love to use Dhoni as a specalist batsman and Saha as WK and saha has good domestic record as a batsman also .

pace attack consist of zaheer and sharma both are talented and best in form .

[giri26]

^^ Squad has a few surprises. Saha in and Karthik out? Any idea about Saha's domestic form? Badri in as expected. Whether he would get to play is another question. Mithun a welcome addition to the squad as he was exceptional in the domestic circuit. Don't think he too will play though.

I hope they play Badri instead of Vijay in the middle order for the simple reason that the latter is a natural opener. There is no need to convert him to be a middle order batsman as we don't have quality openers in the domestic circuit and if at all our first choice openers are not available, we need Vijay desperately. That would be fair on Badri too as he has performed consistenly and patiently all these years for one opportunity to prove him.

Now that he might is more likely to get a spot after years of toil he should grab it with both hands and prove his mettle. God knows how many more chances he would get given the packed Indian middle order.

For the remaining vacant middle order slot, playing Dhoni as a pure batsman looks an option as well. Saha can keep if Dhoni wants to rest his back.

I am disappointed that Irfan hasn't been picked but maybe the conditions where the tests would be played didnt warrant that.

All in all I am happy with the squad.

Both Badri and Vijay will play in the team as there are two vacant spots due to injuries to Dravid and Yuvi. Badri will play in the middle order in the place of Yuvi and Vijay will most probably come at number 3. I am hoping that Mithun gets a chance in this test.

[itduzz]

Come on SA....crush these overhyped, overpaid bunch of FTBs tax cheats ....ALLAH is with you

[dani2k]

Didn't know that Dani and fair enough, I agree totally if what you say is true.

Check this out mate - http://www.cricinfo.com/rsaveng09/content/story/443555.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
"Arthur has had conversations with Chris Scott, the Wanderers groundsman, and the teams are likely to be greeted with a heavily grassed pitch on Thursday morning. It's a move that could well backfire, but South Africa are taking the approach that they may as well lose 2-0 in an attempt to level the contest. It's an unfamiliar, but desperately needed, attitude from a normally conservative team. "

[dani2k]

Both Badri and Vijay will play in the team as there are two vacant spots due to injuries to Dravid and Yuvi. Badri will play in the middle order in the place of Yuvi and Vijay will most probably come at number 3. I am hoping that Mithun gets a chance in this test.

Yup..you are right. Somehow I had the thought that only one spot was vacant!

And yes Mithun is an exciting prospect. A lot would depend on his performance against the Saffers in the tour game. He is part of the squad.

[giri26]

Yup..you are right. Somehow I had the thought that only one spot was vacant!

And yes Mithun is an exciting prospect. A lot would depend on his performance against the Saffers in the tour game. He is part of the squad.

I guess Vijay has to still relenquish his spot once Dravid is back but this an important series for Badri though. If he does well then Yuvi might lose his spot in tests.

This might be the starting X1 for the first test

Sehwag
Ghambir
Vijay
Sachin
Laxman
Badri
Dhoni
Bajji
Zaheer
Ishant
Mithun/Mishra/Ojha (Depending on India's strategy)

This batting line up looks more strong on paper with Badri at number 6.

[ChennaiFan]

I guess Vijay has to still relenquish his spot once Dravid is back but this an important series for Badri though. If he does well then Yuvi might lose his spot in tests.

This might be the starting X1 for the first test

Sehwag
Ghambir
Vijay
Sachin
Laxman
Badri
Dhoni
Bajji
Zaheer
Ishant
Mithun/Mishra/Ojha (Depending on India's strategy)

This batting line up looks more strong on paper with Badri at number 6.

I would remove bhajji and play both Mishra and Ojha.

[itduzz]

Smith
Amla
Kallis
DeVilliers
Prince
Duminy
Boucher
Botha
Morkel
Steyn
Parnell

[Jo_Don]

spinning pitches yes, minefield when India is behind in the series please no.
They might actually be shooting themselves in the foot if they prepare a minefield when going up against somebody like Morkel. A minefield paired with a 2m tall bowler will not be a very pleasant experience when batting.

Anyway this should be quite a good series. I would have hoped for at least one more test though.

Also looking forward to the return series to see if India can break finally their SA jinx. SA has won in India, but India still need to draw (much less win) in SA.

[DadaFan]

Hey is the UDRS going to be used in this series? And anyone know who the umps are going to be?

[Garuda]

I would remove bhajji and play both Mishra and Ojha.


Mishra and Ojha both are leg spinners. So even if Bhajji is not in form its a good idea to keep Bhajji with one of the rest as it will give Dhoni more options.

[ace2705]

No ulloo, only just saw the post

and?




Didn't know that Dani and fair enough, I agree totally if what you say is true.

my point.

[Kriketer]

1st Test: India win toss, bat first, scores 700 runs and beat SA by an inning and 50 runs.

2nd Test: SA win toss, bat first, scores 700 runs and beat India by an inning and 50 runs.

Final result: Series Draw - Test cricket should be banned in India and Pakistan! Their pitches make a mockery out of this beautiful game.

[Indiafan]

1st Test: India win toss, bat first, scores 700 runs and beat SA by an inning and 50 runs.

2nd Test: SA win toss, bat first, scores 700 runs and beat India by an inning and 50 runs.

Final result: Series Draw - Test cricket should be banned in India and Pakistan! Their pitches make a mockery out of this beautiful game.

India's win % in India in the last 2 years is more when they have batted second. Can you tell me how many times the touring team has crossed 400?

[farhan1]

Allrounder Yusuf Pathan has been recalled to the ODI squad for the first two matches against South Africa, along with fast bowler Praveen Kumar. R Ashwin, the Tamil Nadu offspinner, has received his maiden call-up as a replacement for Harbhajan Singh, who asked for time off to attend his sister's wedding.

Opening batsman Gautam Gambhir is also out of the series because of a groin injury while middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh had not recovered from the hand injury he sustained in Bangladesh to take part in the three-ODI contest.

Yusuf had made a stong case for himself with his eye-catching performances on the domestic circuit. His two centuries for West Zone - 210 off 190 balls in the second innings - helped them achieve the highest-ever chase in first-class cricket in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone. He strengthened his chances by smashing a century off 40 balls - the second fastest century in List A matches - for Baroda in their Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Maharashtra in Ahmedabad. That performance came on the day the selectors met in Kolkata, where the second Test is currently underway, to pick the 15-man squad.

The series begins in Jaipur on February 21.

India squad: MS Dhoni (capt\wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Sudeep Tyagi, Praveen Kumar, Abhishek Nayar, Yusuf Pathan, Amit Mishra.

[Rizie]

Tendulkar
Shewag
Kohli
Dhoni
Raina
Pathan
Jadeja
Bhajji
Zaheer
Praveen
Nehra

Even without Ghambir and Yuvraj their batting still looks better than ours :(

[IM NOT YOU]

is india really that bad that they need to put ashish nehra in the squad?


he has got to be one of the worst bowlers in the world right now.

[farhan1]

Tendulkar
Shewag
Kohli
Dhoni
Raina
Pathan
Jadeja
Bhajji
Zaheer
Praveen
Nehra

Even without Ghambir and Yuvraj their batting still looks better than ours :(

Pakistan need exaclty some Indian type players to ensure they winning.