South Africa And Sl In India Options

[tracknest]

As I expected, a thumping win by the Indian side. Keep it up guys. On a good batting wicket, Irfan and Harbhajan bowled beautifully.

Good to see Sewag playing to his potential. I love the balanace of this Indian team and credit must go to Chappel and Dravid.

Well done boys and keep making us proud.

[princeali]

Why was Pathan sent in to open in such a crucial match, even the idea of thinking he could give them quick runs was wrong, it should have been the regular combo of Shewag and Tendulkar or even Gambhir/Shewag, a left-right opening pair. Pathan is good down the order where he can score quick runs and that is where he should stay, he shouldn't even come at # 3, he needs to improve his technique if he wants to bat higher up the order, and this idea of him coming up the order should only be restricted to pitches in India because outside of India its a another story. I like Shewag better up the order, he's not a middle-order batsman who can stabilize the innings, that's just not how he plays, but I guess the Indians wanted to try something new.

[vivekpm]

Why was Pathan sent in to open in such a crucial match, even the idea of thinking he could give them quick runs was wrong, it should have been the regular combo of Shewag and Tendulkar or even Gambhir/Shewag, a left-right opening pair. Pathan is good down the order where he can score quick runs and that is where he should stay, he shouldn't even come at # 3, he needs to improve his technique if he wants to bat higher up the order, and this idea of him coming up the order should only be restricted to pitches in India because outside of India its a another story. I like Shewag better up the order, he's not a middle-order batsman who can stabilize the innings, that's just not how he plays, but I guess the Indians wanted to try something new.

I agree on Pathan not opening the innings. However, I think there was nothing wrong with Sehwag coming at no. 4. This Indian batting line-up is quite flexible. Sachin/Sehwag/Gambhir can take turns at no. 4. So next thing that I would love to see is Gambhir coming down the order and playing a big knock (He has been there once/twice but not successful). At #3, Dhoni is a good bet. Or if stability is required, Kaif/Dravid can come in there. Pathan should not be used too much at #3. Instead Dhoni should be given more exposure at that position, specially against tougher oppositions like SA.

Cheers,

[princeali]

Why was Pathan sent in to open in such a crucial match, even the idea of thinking he could give them quick runs was wrong, it should have been the regular combo of Shewag and Tendulkar or even Gambhir/Shewag, a left-right opening pair. Pathan is good down the order where he can score quick runs and that is where he should stay, he shouldn't even come at # 3, he needs to improve his technique if he wants to bat higher up the order, and this idea of him coming up the order should only be restricted to pitches in India because outside of India its a another story. I like Shewag better up the order, he's not a middle-order batsman who can stabilize the innings, that's just not how he plays, but I guess the Indians wanted to try something new.

I agree on Pathan not opening the innings. However, I think there was nothing wrong with Sehwag coming at no. 4. This Indian batting line-up is quite flexible. Sachin/Sehwag/Gambhir can take turns at no. 4. So next thing that I would love to see is Gambhir coming down the order and playing a big knock (He has been there once/twice but not successful). At #3, Dhoni is a good bet. Or if stability is required, Kaif/Dravid can come in there. Pathan should not be used too much at #3. Instead Dhoni should be given more exposure at that position, specially against tougher oppositions like SA.

Cheers,

True, at times Shewag can come down the order but he isn't a stable batsman, he'll always keep on trying to hit the ball, at # 4 you need someone to stay at the crease.....experiments are always good though....yeah Dhoni up the order would be interesting.