Ahmedabad: With five key players, including skipper Anil Kumble nursing injuries, the Indian team is in deep trouble as it heads for the decisive third and final Test against South Africa in Kanpur.
The Selection Committee has drafted in 16 players for the final Test with fast bowler Munaf Patel and off-spinner Ramesh Powar back from the wilderness.
But with injuries plaguing many key players, it was one problem that India did not need after the humiliating an innings and 90-run defeat in the Ahmedabad Test to trail the three-match series 0-1.
Just when India needed their best resources to save the series, things have got worse for them.
After losing the second Test against South Africa, the Indian selectors met in Ahmedabad to pick the squad for final test at Kanpur, and all they could manage was a mixture of players struggling with various fitness concerns.
Out of the 16 men selected half of the side is either nursing injuries or fighting against time to recover.
To start with Kumble is struggling with a groin problem and is not sure starter for the Kanpur Test and Powar has been called as his back up.
The second spinner in the team, Harbhajan Singh, is also carrying a hip niggle but with pain killers and some rest it is expected he should be alright before the final Test.
Vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has played non-stop cricket for almost a year and his body is finally beginning to give up. His back and fingers need immediate rest but if Kumble doesn't play he will be asked to lead the side.
PAGE_BREAK
S Sreesanth's old shoulder problem has re-surfaced and his fitness is also under the scanner. Munaf Patel has been summoned as his back up.
Young pacer Ishant Sharma is coming out of a bowling finger injury and has to pass a fitness test to get into the Playing XI in Kanpur.
On top of it Sachin Tendulkar's groin injury has forced him to sit out of the Kanpur Test too. Tendulkar had also missed the second Test.
"Two selectors will be going to Kanpur take a final call on the players' fitness. They will assess the fitness of Anil Kumble and Ishant Sharma," Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Niranjan Shah said in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Picking a squad of fit players was a challenge for the selectors before the start of the series and now it's back to square one as India look to draw the series in the absence of an injured Tendulkar and a not-so-fit skipper.
Comments
0 comment