Quote from: Bitcoin Smith on Today at 03:11:24 PM

Quote from: JSRAW on Today at 07:19:54 AM

In English conditions our chances against any SENA country in a one-off test (finals) are slim. So yeah, another choke might be on the cards. Not because we are weak but teams need some match practice to get used to the conditions. For SENA it's familiar conditions so it suits them more. The situation would be exactly the opposite if WTC finals are scheduled in the Subcontinent.

With the current Indian team, I doubt they could even secure a spot in the final but if the matches are played in home then its known that India can walk over the opponents and the opponents too blame that pitch is under prepared, for other tours the players are still very new and only very few played more than 10 matches in the current squad. If Indian team management don't want the Pujara and Rahane any more, then I doubt Indian batting lineup have experience to withstand seaming and bouncing conditions.

Every team plays 3 home and 3 away series so everyone has an equal chance, although it does matter whom you are facing at home and away series. Even Australia is home track bully and they go into survival mode when they tour India. for context, they lost 4 back to back BGT series against India (home and away).

Indian usually plays against Aus, SA and Eng in almost every cycle so it comes down to home-away combinations. In the Subcontinent India is almost invincible and in the last decade, i don't remember them losing any series be it against SL or BAN or any SENA countries. Standards are so high that drawing a match against any team attracts a lot of criticism.

Pitch talk only happens because the opposition team never comes with quality spinners, in contrast, when India tours any SENA country they pack their squad with quality seamers, and one of the reasons they are only successful touring team in the last 7-8 years.

Not sure about Rahane but i believe Pujara's services are much needed in Australia. He's kryptonite to Aussies on their home turf.