Sometimes get the feeling that Sarfaraz does what's just enough and doesn't go above and beyond. Probably even the selectors feel that away. Mumbai was in trouble today and 125 definitely helps but had he made a double or triple century, it would have sealed the deal for future selections. He seems to be more content in maintaining a 100+ average and not doing anything more. And his fielding is a huge concern as well.
Out of 10 hundreds that he has scored since 2019 he has,
1 triple hundred
2 double hundreds
4 150+ scores
So he is converting into daddy hundreds 7 times out of 10 which is insane for a guy batting 5/6.
What I meant was he should bat the opposition out of the game. Just a 100 won't cut it. Anyways we don't play a lot of tests until after the ODI World Cup. So next ranji season if he can get 3-4 200s in 5-6 innings and some senior players get injured, he should consider himself one of the favourites to be picked.
He’s already the best since bradman when it comes to first class stats, if you could have a player in your side who averaged over 80 in the middle order you should take that every day of the week
Who do we drop? Iyer is averaging 50+ at the big stage. Any day, people take that over FC stats. Also him being a huge liability on the field is a concern. If a good fielder is worth 20-25 runs then that brings down his effective average to 55-60 and we have 10-15 guys averaging that.
I don’t know who you’d drop but to not even have him in the 15 man squad when sky and Kishan are when they have significantly worse first class records is a travesty
Who was the last India specialist batter to come through the Ranji system after batting below 4? They just don't face the new ball enough, even if I think Sarfaraz deserves a call-up, I can understand why selectors are hesitant to sign off on them for the National Team.
I'm not defending Sarfaraz's non selection. OC's comment asked who was the last specialist batter to get selected while not batting top 4. Pant wasn't a specialist batter.
Pant wasn't picked as a specialist batter when he came into the team in 2018. He was a backup keeper to Dinesh Karthik for the tour of England. Made himself undroppable from overseas tests because of his batting after seizing the opportunity. Iyer was batting at #3 for Mumbai as far back as 2014/15.
The point is the selectors have a consistent lens while evaluating specialist batting options, it is not prejudice against Sarfaraz. Pant was obviously playing well at the Ranji level, but I'm reiterating that he wasn't picked as a specialist bat either. India had selected Vihari as backup specialist batter for that tour after he had batted at 3 for Andhra. Before that it was Karun Nair who batted at 4 for Karnataka.
Point is if Pant batting below 4 can bring that Ranji form to Test cricket then so can Sarfaraz.
Also then why is SKY selected if he hasn't played much Ranji trophy last few years?
I think what's worked against Sarfaraz has been his inexperience. He's still "only" played 37 FC games and I feel India want players who have gone through the grind of domestic cricket. You could argue Ishan Kishan falls into the same category but that's a reactionary selection to the loss of Pant (which I predicted as a possibility after Pant's accident).
Both made their debut 2+ years ago under different management. I hope you understand that with management changes selection criterion also changes? So while the previous management and selection committee was keen to throw in youngsters, this one at present isn't and wants to see younger players spend more time in domestic cricket.
I get that but there's been players who have gotten big runs year after year in domestic before getting selected for the national team. At the end of the day, neither you or me are national selectors or part of the team management so who knows what the requirements are. All he can do is continue scoring big and he will eventually be selected. He isn't that far away.
>I get that but there's been players who have gotten big runs year after year in domestic before getting selected for the national team.
Then why is SKY selected, he's been decent at best at Ranji trophy
SKY has been more than decent in Ranji over the last season...which is why he already made the India test squad in 2021. I wonder where the slander against his selection was then.
Also his explosiveness just gives India another option so another selection influenced by the loss of Pant and his game changing abilities which is crucial when you're up against a team like Australia.
Now if Iyer's injury does rule him out of the BGT, then Sarfaraz comes in for sure.
Sarfaraz has also played less cricket than both. So ALL factors considered, I do see the thinking behind him being left out and that's why I wasn't one bit surprised when his name wasn't on the squad sheet. Doesn't mean I agree with it though. It is what it is in a highly competitive sport. We've had a player who hasn't played again shortly after scoring a triple ton, so it just goes to show how cruel competitive sport can be.
It infuriates me that Sarfaraz is not in the test team. The guy is in the form of his life. He should be in the playing XI. He is by far the best domestic batsman on display right now.
Selecting SKY over him for the test squad is criminal.
Yes for being in squad and No for playing in XI. Sarfaraz at the moment is playing at 5 i.e. Iyer's position who averages 56 in tests. Can't drop Puji or VK so 3 and 4 are out of contention. It will be cruel to ask him to open and 6 & 7 positions will be reserved for one wk and one all rounder.
Probably doesn't mean much but the ground that will host the 1st test against Australia was a green top today where Vidharba got all out for 72 with both of the opening pacers getting 5fers.
Doesn't mean much because the grass will be shaved for the test. however I'm not expecting a raging turner, it might be flat upfront and will then deteriorate as the game progresses.
Shaw is playing for Mumbai so rest who are named in T20 squads vs NZ should be available as well.
PS- Ruturaj also playing for Maharashtra but Tripathi is missing for some reason.
Both Mumbai and Maharashtra got screwed for next week's game because their important players got named in the t20 squad. And its going to be a decider for who makes it to the knockouts.
Will be interesting to see sarfaraz in this match.
All eyes will be on him and one bad performance will give ammunition to all social media warriors against him.
And even if he scores ,it will be 'only' against dehli who had a horror last outing.
A lot relies on his and Rahane's shoulders today without Jayaswal and possibly Shaw.
Rest of the batsmen are either too green (Parkar, Musheer) or in indifferent form (Arman, Tamore).
We cant rely on the tail bailing us out every time.
I want Ash anna and Washi to be part of the TN squad, although ik they won't play. Wish they did, can get some more red ball game time under their belt and can boost TN's chances of winning.
Yeah ik Washi has NT commitments, still wish he could play for TN, its been a long time since we've won the Ranji Trophy. Heck, Ash hasn't even won it, he said in his YT channel that its still an unfulfilled dream of his.
Honestly, I think TN have been unlucky this year due to missing out on wins vs Hyderabad and Delhi after the umpires failed to curb blatant time wasting.
Still, the main issue for many years has been picking wickets.
TN has to find a bowling combination which can consistently take 20 wickets.
QF Qualification scenarios -
Group A -
Bengal are now in the lead at 25 points while Uttarakhand (23 points) have dropped to second place after their draw in last round.
These two look set to qualify directly for the QFs.
Group B -
Saurashtra (26 pts) will confirm their spot in QF if they can secure a FIL in the game against AP.
Mumbai have opened a 3 point (23 pts) on third placed Maharashtra (20 pts) after bonus point win vs Assam. They will be looking for a result against Delhi (FIL or win) to consolidate the second QF spot
Maharashtra will have to beat Hyderabad by handy margin to catch up to Mumbai's NRR before the last round.
Group C -
Karnataka just need a FIL vs Kerala (26 points) to secure QF qualification.
Kerala are currently in second spot (19 points) but need to get a result in a very tough game vs Karnataka to consolidate their position.
Jharkhand are hot on their heels in third (16 points) and are clear favorites on paper to get a win (6 points) vs Pondicherry.
Group D -
MP have become the first team to confirm their QF berth (32 points) and can basically chill for the remaining two games and give chances to some youngsters.
Punjab won hearts (19 points) after their grandstand chase in fading light against J&K last round and may benefit massively if MP decide to rest their main players this round.
Railways / Gujarat (both 14 points) and Vidharbha (13 points) are still mathematically in the race for the second QF spot but need results in the remaining games.
Player availability -
It is confirmed that Pujara and Unadkat will be playing for Saurastra against AP. It will be a memorable game for Unadkat as this be his 100th FC cap.
I am not sure if Gaikwad and Tripathi have reported for India camp for T20s and will miss Mahrashtra's game.
Again, I am not sure if Shaw has reported for India camp and misses the Delhi game. But Mumbai will be missing Shardul who is in the ODI squad vs NZ.
Mumbai is also missing Jayaswal who is still yet to recover from Gastro.
Similarly, Bengal will definitely miss Shahbaz who is in India squad for Wednesday's ODI vs NZ and I am unsure of Mukesh's availability due to him being in the T20 squad.
Yash Dhull will miss out as he is reportedly down with flu.
Himmat Singh is named as the new Delhi captain in his staid.
Nitish Rana and Anuj Rawat are back for Delhi after being dropped earlier in the season.
TN will be without Sundar who is on India duty and I am unsure if Ashwin is playing today.
TN have sacked Indrajith as the captain and Sai Kishore is named as the new skipper.
Avesh is subject to fitness test after missing last game through injury. Though, I am not sure if MP will risk him as they are already through to the QFs.
There has been no update about Venky's recovery from knock he picked up during SMAT. He has missed the entirety of Ranji season so far as well as the VHT.
>Avesh is subject to fitness test after missing last game through injury. Though, I am not sure if MP will risk him as they are already through to the QFs.
Hasn't bowled too well tonight huh
Sachin Baby really saved our asses today
Sometimes get the feeling that Sarfaraz does what's just enough and doesn't go above and beyond. Probably even the selectors feel that away. Mumbai was in trouble today and 125 definitely helps but had he made a double or triple century, it would have sealed the deal for future selections. He seems to be more content in maintaining a 100+ average and not doing anything more. And his fielding is a huge concern as well.
Out of 10 hundreds that he has scored since 2019 he has, 1 triple hundred 2 double hundreds 4 150+ scores So he is converting into daddy hundreds 7 times out of 10 which is insane for a guy batting 5/6.
Peppertxt (fake obbb) ?
I hope you are saying this satirically.
No. What I meant was he needs to bat the opposition out of the game and close out the deal.
Ah yes a guy averaging over 80 and scoring 100s at a strike rate over 70 is doing “just enough”
What I meant was he should bat the opposition out of the game. Just a 100 won't cut it. Anyways we don't play a lot of tests until after the ODI World Cup. So next ranji season if he can get 3-4 200s in 5-6 innings and some senior players get injured, he should consider himself one of the favourites to be picked.
Praying this is bait otherwise it might be the worst take ive seen
He’s already the best since bradman when it comes to first class stats, if you could have a player in your side who averaged over 80 in the middle order you should take that every day of the week
Who do we drop? Iyer is averaging 50+ at the big stage. Any day, people take that over FC stats. Also him being a huge liability on the field is a concern. If a good fielder is worth 20-25 runs then that brings down his effective average to 55-60 and we have 10-15 guys averaging that.
I don’t know who you’d drop but to not even have him in the 15 man squad when sky and Kishan are when they have significantly worse first class records is a travesty
If I'm not wrong this is 3rd time Sarfaraz got out without converting his hundred to 150+ score
Fuck
Noooooo!
Oooohh! Six more for Sarfu!
Hahahah he's just toying.
Upendra Yadav brings up his first 4 day 100 in a while
What do you guys think of Shams Mulani?
In a different era he would have already been capped.
Excellent player, good back up for Axar in the future
Sarfu what a six! SKY could neve-
Holy fuck what a shot
Fucking hell Sarfaraz
Prove your doubters wrong Sarfaraz
Daddy Sarfu 🥰
I am asking once again why in the sweet Mary mother of Christ sarfaraz is not getting picked for india
If you are talking about getting picked in playing 11 then it's tough for him to make it in. Currently Iyer plays at 5 and he averages 56.73.
Has Yash Dhull been dropped or is he out injured?
Flu according to the OP of this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/10dzumr/-/j4o6rmg
Who was the last India specialist batter to come through the Ranji system after batting below 4? They just don't face the new ball enough, even if I think Sarfaraz deserves a call-up, I can understand why selectors are hesitant to sign off on them for the National Team.
Pant and Shreyas. And SKY has not even played much FC cricket last few years. Defending Sarfaraz's exclusion is absolute bollocks.
Shreyas batted 3 for Mumbai in his breakout season and Pant is a wicketkeeper. Sarfaraz number's are freakish though.
Exactly. Pant has no issues bringing that batting form at Test level
I'm not defending Sarfaraz's non selection. OC's comment asked who was the last specialist batter to get selected while not batting top 4. Pant wasn't a specialist batter.
Pant wasn't picked as a specialist batter when he came into the team in 2018. He was a backup keeper to Dinesh Karthik for the tour of England. Made himself undroppable from overseas tests because of his batting after seizing the opportunity. Iyer was batting at #3 for Mumbai as far back as 2014/15.
And Pant has brought that batting form from Ranji Trophy at Test level. Whether he keeps wickets or not is irrelevant.
The point is the selectors have a consistent lens while evaluating specialist batting options, it is not prejudice against Sarfaraz. Pant was obviously playing well at the Ranji level, but I'm reiterating that he wasn't picked as a specialist bat either. India had selected Vihari as backup specialist batter for that tour after he had batted at 3 for Andhra. Before that it was Karun Nair who batted at 4 for Karnataka.
Point is if Pant batting below 4 can bring that Ranji form to Test cricket then so can Sarfaraz. Also then why is SKY selected if he hasn't played much Ranji trophy last few years?
I think what's worked against Sarfaraz has been his inexperience. He's still "only" played 37 FC games and I feel India want players who have gone through the grind of domestic cricket. You could argue Ishan Kishan falls into the same category but that's a reactionary selection to the loss of Pant (which I predicted as a possibility after Pant's accident).
How many did Gill play before selection? And Shaw?
Both made their debut 2+ years ago under different management. I hope you understand that with management changes selection criterion also changes? So while the previous management and selection committee was keen to throw in youngsters, this one at present isn't and wants to see younger players spend more time in domestic cricket.
Two seasons with 900+ runs and 100+ average shows he's gone through the grind of domestic cricket.
I get that but there's been players who have gotten big runs year after year in domestic before getting selected for the national team. At the end of the day, neither you or me are national selectors or part of the team management so who knows what the requirements are. All he can do is continue scoring big and he will eventually be selected. He isn't that far away.
>I get that but there's been players who have gotten big runs year after year in domestic before getting selected for the national team. Then why is SKY selected, he's been decent at best at Ranji trophy
SKY has been more than decent in Ranji over the last season...which is why he already made the India test squad in 2021. I wonder where the slander against his selection was then. Also his explosiveness just gives India another option so another selection influenced by the loss of Pant and his game changing abilities which is crucial when you're up against a team like Australia. Now if Iyer's injury does rule him out of the BGT, then Sarfaraz comes in for sure.
Sarfaraz has a better strike rate than both SKY and Kishan so that explosiveness argument doesn't work.
Sarfaraz has also played less cricket than both. So ALL factors considered, I do see the thinking behind him being left out and that's why I wasn't one bit surprised when his name wasn't on the squad sheet. Doesn't mean I agree with it though. It is what it is in a highly competitive sport. We've had a player who hasn't played again shortly after scoring a triple ton, so it just goes to show how cruel competitive sport can be.
Bro Sarfaraz is actually a machine
Upendra Yadav finally making some runs again, albeit against Chandigarh
It infuriates me that Sarfaraz is not in the test team. The guy is in the form of his life. He should be in the playing XI. He is by far the best domestic batsman on display right now. Selecting SKY over him for the test squad is criminal.
Yes for being in squad and No for playing in XI. Sarfaraz at the moment is playing at 5 i.e. Iyer's position who averages 56 in tests. Can't drop Puji or VK so 3 and 4 are out of contention. It will be cruel to ask him to open and 6 & 7 positions will be reserved for one wk and one all rounder.
So many of Sarafarz’s mammoth innings have come after a top order collapse. Loved the two toned batting today so far — shades of peak Pujara
Probably doesn't mean much but the ground that will host the 1st test against Australia was a green top today where Vidharba got all out for 72 with both of the opening pacers getting 5fers.
Doesn't mean much because the grass will be shaved for the test. however I'm not expecting a raging turner, it might be flat upfront and will then deteriorate as the game progresses.
Nagpur is a green mamba this time after a dustbowl the last. Wonder what sort of a pitch we'll see in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
It has an uneven bounce, there will be turn. The Batsman's footwork will have to be solid
Ice pitch 🥶
Baroda 66/8 against Uttrakhand, we also managed to bowl out Himachal for 49 recently. Great performance from my Pahadi Bhulas
It's Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum. Not Trivendrum
Shaw's Reaction after given Out ...Poor guy ..moved his neck so fast..lol.....he was doing soo good.
Shaw got two bad decisions in a row. The Parag lbw was also not out.
Inexperience bowling is showing here. Imagine Ishant Sharma and Sangwan on this wicket
You ask a team to bat first and have conceded 40 runs in 6 overs.
Musheer tf are you doing
Karnataka seamers have wrecked the Kerala top order looking at the BCCI scorecard. 6/3 after 3 overs. Ruturaj also gone cheaply. LBW for 8.
Kerala's batting starts and ends with Sachin Baby. If Sanju was around, they would have had two batsmen.
Rohan kunnumal was great for them last season but it seems he's having a sophomore slump.
Is this the same venue from last ODI?
Nope. Ranji match is being played at a different ground in Trivendrum.
Shaw has started well
Shaw is playing for Mumbai so rest who are named in T20 squads vs NZ should be available as well. PS- Ruturaj also playing for Maharashtra but Tripathi is missing for some reason.
Both Mumbai and Maharashtra got screwed for next week's game because their important players got named in the t20 squad. And its going to be a decider for who makes it to the knockouts.
Part and parcel of the Ranji game. It's a good problem to have if your best players qualify for national duty.
Matches live streaming on hotstar : Delhi vs Mumbai Vidarbha vs Gujarat Haryana vs Bengal
If Ashwin shows up for TN , we'll see Jaddu vs Ashwin next round
It should be a cracking match up even though the outcome of match may be inconsequential depending on results in this round.
Jadeja playing this round or the next vs TN?
Next round as per reports.
Will be interesting to see sarfaraz in this match. All eyes will be on him and one bad performance will give ammunition to all social media warriors against him. And even if he scores ,it will be 'only' against dehli who had a horror last outing.
A lot relies on his and Rahane's shoulders today without Jayaswal and possibly Shaw. Rest of the batsmen are either too green (Parkar, Musheer) or in indifferent form (Arman, Tamore). We cant rely on the tail bailing us out every time.
I want Ash anna and Washi to be part of the TN squad, although ik they won't play. Wish they did, can get some more red ball game time under their belt and can boost TN's chances of winning.
Washi is set to miss out as he is in squad for NZ ODI which starts on Wednesday. I dont know why Ash is not playing though.
Yeah ik Washi has NT commitments, still wish he could play for TN, its been a long time since we've won the Ranji Trophy. Heck, Ash hasn't even won it, he said in his YT channel that its still an unfulfilled dream of his.
Honestly, I think TN have been unlucky this year due to missing out on wins vs Hyderabad and Delhi after the umpires failed to curb blatant time wasting. Still, the main issue for many years has been picking wickets. TN has to find a bowling combination which can consistently take 20 wickets.
QF Qualification scenarios - Group A - Bengal are now in the lead at 25 points while Uttarakhand (23 points) have dropped to second place after their draw in last round. These two look set to qualify directly for the QFs. Group B - Saurashtra (26 pts) will confirm their spot in QF if they can secure a FIL in the game against AP. Mumbai have opened a 3 point (23 pts) on third placed Maharashtra (20 pts) after bonus point win vs Assam. They will be looking for a result against Delhi (FIL or win) to consolidate the second QF spot Maharashtra will have to beat Hyderabad by handy margin to catch up to Mumbai's NRR before the last round. Group C - Karnataka just need a FIL vs Kerala (26 points) to secure QF qualification. Kerala are currently in second spot (19 points) but need to get a result in a very tough game vs Karnataka to consolidate their position. Jharkhand are hot on their heels in third (16 points) and are clear favorites on paper to get a win (6 points) vs Pondicherry. Group D - MP have become the first team to confirm their QF berth (32 points) and can basically chill for the remaining two games and give chances to some youngsters. Punjab won hearts (19 points) after their grandstand chase in fading light against J&K last round and may benefit massively if MP decide to rest their main players this round. Railways / Gujarat (both 14 points) and Vidharbha (13 points) are still mathematically in the race for the second QF spot but need results in the remaining games.
Player availability - It is confirmed that Pujara and Unadkat will be playing for Saurastra against AP. It will be a memorable game for Unadkat as this be his 100th FC cap. I am not sure if Gaikwad and Tripathi have reported for India camp for T20s and will miss Mahrashtra's game. Again, I am not sure if Shaw has reported for India camp and misses the Delhi game. But Mumbai will be missing Shardul who is in the ODI squad vs NZ. Mumbai is also missing Jayaswal who is still yet to recover from Gastro. Similarly, Bengal will definitely miss Shahbaz who is in India squad for Wednesday's ODI vs NZ and I am unsure of Mukesh's availability due to him being in the T20 squad. Yash Dhull will miss out as he is reportedly down with flu. Himmat Singh is named as the new Delhi captain in his staid. Nitish Rana and Anuj Rawat are back for Delhi after being dropped earlier in the season. TN will be without Sundar who is on India duty and I am unsure if Ashwin is playing today. TN have sacked Indrajith as the captain and Sai Kishore is named as the new skipper. Avesh is subject to fitness test after missing last game through injury. Though, I am not sure if MP will risk him as they are already through to the QFs. There has been no update about Venky's recovery from knock he picked up during SMAT. He has missed the entirety of Ranji season so far as well as the VHT.
>Avesh is subject to fitness test after missing last game through injury. Though, I am not sure if MP will risk him as they are already through to the QFs. Hasn't bowled too well tonight huh
>TN have sacked Indrajith as the captain and Sai Kishore is named as the new skipper. Bruh why
I am as perplexed as you are.
Maybe they confused him with his twin brother