Indian domestic season 2013/14

This kicks off with the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy on the 26th.  

Thanks Shanky for starting this off.
The Yuvraj Singh led India blue won the Challenger Trophy. Yuvraj showed with the bat, and Unmukt Chand, Manish Pandey, and Delhi's Milint Kumar also scored some runs. Rajat Bhatia performed with bat and ball. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and to some extend Vinay Kumar were impressive with the ball, so was Awana.
Virender Sehwag's move down the order produced a quick 50 and nothing else. Gautam Gambhir too had a disappointing tournament.

The Duleep Trophy interzonal tournament has got underway today. South Zone is taking on West at Chennai.
South have in their ranks promising players like Abhinav Mukund, Manish Pandey and young seamer Sandeep Warrier. Fringe players of the national side such as R Vinay Kumar are also included. West are led by veteran batsman Wasim Jaffer. Promising youngster Manpreet Juneja and ODI fringe Yusuf Pathan are also part of the squad.

Some Bhatt from Vadodra took a 7-fer against WI-A

Rasool as an offie, Mishra as the leggie are the first in line reserve spinners...and now this Bhatt guy has shot himsefl into reckoning

He's Bhargav Bhatt. A 23 year old left-arm orthodox spinner with an above average domestic record. 89 first class wickets from 24 matches at an average just under 30. Think Ojha for sure and perhaps even Piyush Chawla are ahead of him in the pecking order as of now.

Failures for Gautam Gambhir and middle order batsman Virender Sehwag in India A's game against West Indies A. While Gambhir managed only 11 in a 44 ball stay, Sehwag was out stumped by the keeper for 7.

msp83 wrote:He's Bhargav Bhatt. A 23 year old left-arm orthodox spinner with an above average domestic record. 89 first class wickets from 24 matches at an average just under 30. Think Ojha for sure and perhaps even Piyush Chawla are ahead of him in the pecking order as of now.

then why are Ojha and Chawla not playing for India- A:shock: 

I think chawla is atleast in some 50 over or 20 over sides for India-a.......Ojha is no where in the reckoning

KPF, Ojha is with the MI squad for the CLT-20 isn't he? He hasn't got any game time with them, the A games would have been better, but we know things do not happen that way.

Talking of the spinner pecking order, another of yesterday's players, Harbhajan Singh too happened to be in the selectorial frame as recently as the Australia series early this year.

msp83 wrote:Talking of the spinner pecking order, another of yesterday's players, Harbhajan Singh too happened to be in the selectorial frame as recently as the Australia series early this year.

he was dumped after T1...with clear indications from Dhoni that he is not keen on playing Bhajji again.

Althouhg Ojha played as the 3rd spinner.....I think now Mishra will come in as the 3rd spinner.


Ojha's flighted slow loopy no ex-factor, no mystery bowling..... I can thrash even this day......when I am well past my prime  

KP_fan wrote:

msp83 wrote:Talking of the spinner pecking order, another of yesterday's players, Harbhajan Singh too happened to be in the selectorial frame as recently as the Australia series early this year.

he was dumped after T1...with clear indications from Dhoni that he is not keen on playing Bhajji again.

Althouhg Ojha played as the 3rd spinner.....I think now Mishra will come in as the 3rd spinner.


Ojha's flighted slow loopy no ex-factor, no mystery bowling..... I can thrash even this day......when I am well past my prime  

I think though Ojha hasn't done very badly as a test spinner, Mishra's recent performances coupled with Ojha's recent inconsistencies might see Mishra going ahead of Ojha in the pecking order. With his no-ball issues and a lack of understanding about the pace of his bowling, I was no fan of Amit Mishra. But in recent months, he seems to have brought about more consistency and discipline to his bowling and if he has a good start to the first class season, I would he should get the opportunity above Ojha.
On a side note, I am looking forward to the evolution of U-19 left-arm rist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Its too early to say, but he has the potential to go places with the right attitude and proper management.

At the end of a rain limited first day of their Duleep Trophy game against West Zone, South Zone are 213-3. After 3 early losses including former India opener Abhinav Mukund and India A opener KL Rahul, South managed to recover through a big partnership between Baba Aparajit and Manish Pandey. Aparajith is not out on 93 and Pandey on 81 at close of play.

Meanwhile Gautam Gambhir Virender Sehwag and Cheteshwar Pujara failed against the West Indies A, but Kerala opener VA Jagadeesh and Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayar scored unbeaten 50s to lead a recovery for India A. Jagadeesh isn't young as such, his overall FC record isn't great though he had a good domestic sseason last year. He might not even be the first, second or third reserve opener, but he has certainly taken his chances with India A it has to be said.
Nayar was considered for the Australia ODI squad but eventually missed out Continued good form might see him get another chance at the international level sooner rather than later.

Personally not sure we need a 3rd spinner. Even against Oz, the 3rd spinner proved superflouous at times and I think we'd be better off playing an extra batsman at 6 (we'll need one in SA for sure) and go with 2 seamers and Ashwin and Sir as the 2 spinners. The backup spinner can be picked on form from among Bhajji, Ojha, Mishra, Chawla, Rasool, Nadeem and Bhatt.

Meanwhile, Sehwag has made his intentions fairly clear that his future, if there is any, lies as a middle order batsman. I think this is a bit of a double edged sword. Whilst I do think dropping down the order would suit him at this stage of his career with his reflexes against the quicker bowlers slowing down, he'll also face far greater competition for a middle order spot than at the top. With Gambhir enduring a horrid county season and a return to the familiar home conditions not having quite sparked a return to form so far in the 3 innings he's played (2 in the Challenger Trophy and today for Ind A vs WI A) there is no reserve opener in sight for the SA tour (if it happens, of course). As MSP pointed out, Jagadeesh is not really young (he is 30, I think) and a FC average in the mid 30s would be mediocre by any standards let alone the Ranji Trophy where every other batsman averages over 60 (okay, a slight exaggeration but you get the point). He had a great season last year but if a 30 year old with such a mediocre record is playing for the A side, you know things aren't probably too great.
Abhinav Mukund had an awful season last year. He has started this season well with the Challenger Trophy though he failed today for South Zone. If he can score big runs in the upcoming matches, he may be in with a chance to go to SA as the backup opener, especially as he has test experience in overseas conditions but the cupboard is really very, very bare. Jiwanjot had a great debut season last year but hasn't quite taken his limited chances with the A team so far. I've heard good reviews about him from journos and he's said to be an opener with an old school temperament, patient, puts a price on his wicket and has a solid technique against the moving ball but his range of shots is far too limited at present for international cricket.

Agree with Shanky on Sehwag and Gambhir. I don't know why Sehwag is going in at number 4, knowing that, that position is unshakable with Sachin in team. Regarding reserve opener, if we are not getting any choice then why not to try Jaffer. Though he is 33+ but still can take gourd just like Aussies took chances on Chris Rogers. Jaffer is a profound opener with good season last year. Looking at different options Rahane, Rayadu, Rohit sharma are above all selected option for test. Rahane has got limited chances and Rohit is yet to play a test match. I don't know why Rohit is still not tested in tests when his FC average is quite convincing. He is continously given chances in ODI's where I feel his temperament is not suitable.

Why not "try" Jaffer? Try? I really don't understand why people talk about Jaffer as if he's some unlucky player who has never played Test cricket. He has alredy played 31 Tests at a mediocre average of 34. I just don't see any benefit in going back to a tried and tested failure at international failure at the age of 35. I'd much rather they invest time in a younger player, who has scope for development. If Jaffer was a genuinely good player, I'd have still taken him but he's already a proven failure. Comparison with Rogers is unfair as Rogers had played only 1 Test before his Ashes callup.

Personally, I'd consider converting Rohit into an opener in the longer format too, if he's willing to.

Sehwag shouldn't be considered for a middle order role unless he does something truly spectacular. Not a ton or 2, but some consist massive tons. He has been a fabulous test player, he really could set the tempo of a test match, but that kind of a role can be played at the top. His reactive game is not really sound, and he doesn't add anything in the field and he doesn't bowl much these days, and if anything, his attitude might not give the youngsters the right message.

On the 2nd day of their Duleep Trophy game against West Zone, South finished the day at 553-7. Overnight batsmen, Baba Aparajit and Manish Pandey completed brilliant double hundreds to provide South with a massive first innings score. Aparajit was run-out for 212, and Pandey, after retiring hurt in the course of his innings, was eventually out for 213.

Both of them played brilliantly. Still its too early for selectors to consider them. But yup we have good future shaping around these youngsters.

Pandey an outside bet for the SA tour if he keeps this up? From what I've seen, he's very strong off the backfoot, which'll be needed in SA and has a very good FC record over a number of seasons. This is his 6th season, I think. Not a one season wonder. Wonder why he has never been in serious contention?
Juneja another candidate.

In between in the match against WI A, India bowled out for 359, thanks to quick fire 89 from Nayar and sensible batting from Kaul. I could not recognize this man from Himachal. Well pretty good first class records, with average above 50.

Pandey has played 42 FC games, Kumar. This is his 6th season. Its not that early.

Well Juneja has shown the capability to play the foreign bowlers pretty well. His last five matches were brilliant, and he batted extremely well for his 193 against NZ A. I can now see a brilliant future of Indian future test team.

Uday Kaul is indeed a very good option as a backup keeper. Averages over 50 in FC Cricket that too playing mostly on the seam friendly Mohali wicket. No idea why Karthik and Saha are ahead of him. Both average in the early 40s. Saha, despite being 4 years Kaul's senior, has played fewer FC matches than Uday.

Baba Aparajith is still a season or two away from Test contention but the likes of Pandey and Juneja should firmly be in the mix this winter if they keep delivering consistently and the likes of Gambhir keep failing.

Lokesh Rahul is one young opener I'd definitely be keeping an eye out for this season. Not ready yet but probably the closest to being ready from among the next crop of young openers.

ShankyCricket wrote:Pandey has played 42 FC games, Kumar. This is his 6th season. Its not that early.

I agree here shanky, I saw him first in the second season of IPL. He has a very good record, but still I feel Indian selectors will go bit orthodox. Rather than testing new fellas they will go with the odd ones. You see Rahane was given a chance after sitting on the bench for almost 16 test matches. Rohit, Rayadu, and many more are there above him. So as a selector I would have selected him, but there is no place also in the team. We can test him as an opener, reserve opener, well he is surely a top-order batsman.

The North Zone Duleep Trophy squad looks pretty strong, especially the seam bowling. Sid Kaul, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Parvinder Awana and Rishi Dhawan.

Regarding Gambhir, frankly speaking he has not shown any spark recently apart form a 100 for Essex. Regarding other BCCI should organize more unofficial tour to countries like Australia, England and SA, so that these young fire can shape their spark.

subhranshu.kumar.5 wrote:

ShankyCricket wrote:Pandey has played 42 FC games, Kumar. This is his 6th season. Its not that early.

I agree here shanky, I saw him first in the second season of IPL. He has a very good record, but still I feel Indian selectors will go bit orthodox. Rather than testing new fellas they will go with the odd ones. You see Rahane was given a chance after sitting on the bench for almost 16 test matches. Rohit, Rayadu, and many more are there above him. So as a selector I would have selected him, but there is no place also in the team. We can test him as an opener, reserve opener, well he is surely a top-order batsman.

I wouldn't judge anyone on the basis of IPL. My view of him is based on some of the brilliant innings that he's played under difficult circumstances in the Ranji Trophy, most notably his backs to the wall 144 against Mumbai in the 2009/10 Ranji final in the 4th innings in a losing cause. There's a feeling that he's too casual and lacks consistency but to maintain a FC average of over 50 across 5 seasons would suggest otherwise. I'm not saying he should necessarily be picked and the names that you've mentioned are ahead of him in the pecking order atm and probably rightly so. All I'm saying is he should be in 'consideration' and that he shouldn't be ruled out due to his supposed inexperience cos he isn't actually inexperienced and has been around for a while. If others are better than him, sure, pick them but what I don't want to hear is that its "too early" for him. There may be better options but Pandey too has enough FC experience to be in contention.

subhranshu.kumar.5 wrote:Regarding Gambhir, frankly speaking he has not shown any spark recently apart form a 100 for Essex. Regarding other BCCI should organize more unofficial tour to countries like Australia, England and SA, so that these young fire can shape their spark.

I'm hoping they'll do what England always do on tours and send an "A" team to shadow the seniors on tour, especially for the England tour next summer. Its a 5 Test series and we'll need extra backup and just including extra players in the main squad won't be enough as they need to be match fit. Playing for the A team gives the ideal opportunity. We don't want a situation similar to 2011 when RP Singh was called up straight from his holiday in Miami.

The North squad for the Duleep Trophy is to be led by Harbhajan Singh. They do have a good mix in the bowling department. Looking forward to Rishi Dhawan's performances in this season. The lad has got some good dressing room experience through international players in the IPL, and has done well with the ball though he never had a proper opportunity with the bat. Hopefully he would have learned a few more things about his bowling and might add a yard of pace.

Manish Pandey is one player whom I have rated very highly. I hope this double ton is just the beginning of an excellent season for him.
Think Aparajith should give equal importance to his bowling as well. He was a regular bowling option at the U-19 level, and people who watched him had good things to say about his bowling. But at the first class level, he has been mostly used as a batting all-rounder. He has to bowl more overs and do so more regularly. Not yet ready for international cricket, but the lad is an exciting talent.
Uday Kaul's batting record is excellent. Has anyone seen him keep? Has to be ahead of DK for sure, as DK is nothing more than an average keeper and an OK batsman, Kaul at least has a much better batting record.

two double hundreds from aparajith and Pandey.....the pitch is dead...and not the kind that encourgaes bowlers at all

Indeed, it appears like a flat track. Lets see what the South bowlers can produce on this one.
The Ranji pitches last year were mostly obnoxious, hopefully we'll have more live tracks this time round. Not a good start from that point of view.

west zone has crashed to150-6...falling to some unknown rangrajan and part time spinner abhinav Mukund.

West are too much thinned by their key players in CLT20 and for India-A

Its pretty sure South Zone is gonna play semifinals.

South ended up with 600-9 declared and West are struggling big time at 156-6. A first ball duck for Manprit Juneja. Tamil Nadu's M Rangarajan picked up 3 wickets and Abhinav Mukund's parttime spin accounted for 2 wickets including the big one of Juneja. Opener Aditya Waghmode scored a 50, and Maharashtra youngster Ankit Bawne is unbeaten on 62 at close with only the bowlers for company.

The game between India A and West Indies A ended up as a draw. Zaheer Khan managed an early wicket and then nothing as the WI batsmen managed to shut the India A bowlers out without much problem. Bhargav Bhatt managed to add 2 more wickets to his first innings 7.

SZ wins....cant understand the team selection of west

Rajstahn fought hard and well and were in running for quite long......fell apart in the last 5 overs.

samson sanju....played a blistering knock.......he has potential
Rahane surprisngly looks at his best in T20 format ...anchors at a good SR.

Proud finish to Dravid's competitive cricketing career

Bhajji looks impressive but i don't think he looks beyond playing T20 these days

Bhaji should be left alone to play his T-20s. There is Ashwin as the led offy, and there is young Parwez Rasool as the back up. There is Jadeja as the other spin option, with potential backup from Ojha and Mishra. They are not in the top most league of Indian spin tradition, but they are all much better than the Post-Kumble era Harbhajan who has forgotten how to take wickets. He has been awful in whatever first class cricket he played over the last couple of seasons.

Young Sanju Samson is a terrific promise, a superb talent. He has to be carefully managed, and he should take his wicketkeeping responsibilities seriously. Samson and Sandeep Warrier are 2 young cricketers who promise a lot not only for Kerala, but also for India as well.

If he has a good domestic season, Samson should be considered for the T20 WC next year.

Agree that Bhajji should not be considered in Tests ATM but definitely a decent option in LOIs, especially T20Is. Both Ashwin and Jadeja have awful T20I records and have struggled with the ball in IPL/CLT20. So maybe we should look at different spinners in the T20 side. I'd suggest Bhajji, Nadeem, Tambe, Rahul Sharma and Mishra as the options.

Rohit has been in terrific form in the CLT20. Really hope he makes it big in the ODIs vs Aus. If he can convert his starts and improve his strike rate in ODIs, nothing like it.
His captaincy has been very impressive too.

Jadeja adds all-round value in all formats. Ashwin has a superb domestic T-20 record though his international record isn't that great. Both Jadeja and Ashwin have been doing well in ODIs in recent times. They both are young as well. Harbhajan has to do a great deal more than a flash in the pan performance to even come into the selectorial frame. Amit Mishra has a good domestic T-20 record, and if anything, he should get a chance ahead of Harbhajan.

I never said Bhajji should be in the ODI side but a better option than Ashwin in T20.
Jadeja is harder to drop cos of his allround value but his performances with the ball in T20 are a concern.

--Jadeja is an all form first choice because of his allround skills

--ashwin should be primarily tests and then ODIs.....T20 spils his test skills

--Mishra is an all form pure spinner....in the peak form of his life

--Bhajji should be in conetnion for T20s.....he has experience and can bat

--Tambe should be pixcked up atleast by a Ranji side

--Karan sharma showed a lot of promise in IPL for hyderabad and should be given a break

--Nadeem is useless

--Parvez Rasool perhaps for tests and ODIs as a backup to both ashwin and jadeja as he can bat a bit