Raghav
International Vice-Captain
India vs Scotland, as such matches go, drew little cheer even when the win was fulsome. India tested out the newcomers and their bowling options and found them working. Many still would have screwed up their nose at going all the way to Scotland. Such hectic traveling means the six-day gap between the Tests and onedayers brings little joy.
Munaf Patel back is always a good sign. One will have to wait and and watch his fitness before making any judgement on his form.
There were too many wides and discipline wasn't the best but in between there were a few trademarks Munaf deliveries, rearing up from a spot.
He got rid of Scotland skipper Ryan Watson in an important passage of play.
Ajit Agarkar took a little time to find his rhythm but Rudra Pratap Singh, without exerting himself to the full, clearly looked an in-form bowler.
Rahul Dravid thus would have to make a few choices at Southampton when Zaheer Khan puts up his hand. Patel could be the one hitting the bench for he needs a few matches under his belt. His kind of bowling is ideal for these conditions but it's been a long lay-off for him. His fielding too is still not up to scratch. Piyush Chawla will force Ramesh Powar to look over his shoulder even though latter has a headstart.
Chawla bowled with variety and aggression and was clearly the better bowler on the day. Powar though can still make it ahead of Chawla for conservatism at the start of a one-day series makes sense.
Powar has experience to work in his favour. He is a fun-loving character and his size certainly enhances the impression but if he wants to keep at bay the challenge from Harbhajan Singh or Chawla, he needs to convey he is hungry. Not all selectors feel he wants his spot badly.
Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa did all that was asked from them but only one will make the cut and not all that easily.
Gambhir should be given an extended run as he for me is a dangerous player with a wide range of shots and the fact that he is a left hander will be a big bonus.
It makes sense to keep your in-form batsmen in play and Karthik is certainly one after ending up top of heap of all batsmen in the Test series.
Yuvraj is essential to India's one-day plans. There are thus not many places up for grabs in India's one-day team.
India look a better side than England in a one-day field even though not much has changed in terms of their running between the wickets or speed across the turf on the ground. India seem to lack firepower in the middle overs and it allowed Scotland to recover from a poor start.
All this might change once Zaheer joins the fray.
A week in a cricketer's life is a long time and most certainly if you are an Indian cricketer. Many thus would be loathe to rest on their Test laurels in England.
India has a busy one-day season ahead by the end of which they would have played 20 games. They need to strike the right chord from the very first note.
Munaf Patel back is always a good sign. One will have to wait and and watch his fitness before making any judgement on his form.
There were too many wides and discipline wasn't the best but in between there were a few trademarks Munaf deliveries, rearing up from a spot.
He got rid of Scotland skipper Ryan Watson in an important passage of play.
Ajit Agarkar took a little time to find his rhythm but Rudra Pratap Singh, without exerting himself to the full, clearly looked an in-form bowler.
Rahul Dravid thus would have to make a few choices at Southampton when Zaheer Khan puts up his hand. Patel could be the one hitting the bench for he needs a few matches under his belt. His kind of bowling is ideal for these conditions but it's been a long lay-off for him. His fielding too is still not up to scratch. Piyush Chawla will force Ramesh Powar to look over his shoulder even though latter has a headstart.
Chawla bowled with variety and aggression and was clearly the better bowler on the day. Powar though can still make it ahead of Chawla for conservatism at the start of a one-day series makes sense.
Powar has experience to work in his favour. He is a fun-loving character and his size certainly enhances the impression but if he wants to keep at bay the challenge from Harbhajan Singh or Chawla, he needs to convey he is hungry. Not all selectors feel he wants his spot badly.
Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa did all that was asked from them but only one will make the cut and not all that easily.
Gambhir should be given an extended run as he for me is a dangerous player with a wide range of shots and the fact that he is a left hander will be a big bonus.
It makes sense to keep your in-form batsmen in play and Karthik is certainly one after ending up top of heap of all batsmen in the Test series.
Yuvraj is essential to India's one-day plans. There are thus not many places up for grabs in India's one-day team.
India look a better side than England in a one-day field even though not much has changed in terms of their running between the wickets or speed across the turf on the ground. India seem to lack firepower in the middle overs and it allowed Scotland to recover from a poor start.
All this might change once Zaheer joins the fray.
A week in a cricketer's life is a long time and most certainly if you are an Indian cricketer. Many thus would be loathe to rest on their Test laurels in England.
India has a busy one-day season ahead by the end of which they would have played 20 games. They need to strike the right chord from the very first note.
