As the focus shifts to the longer version, India's problems with their team composition begin. With only one specialist opener in the squad the think tank is back with their perennial problem of whom to make Wasim Jaffer's partner. In an ideal situation Dinesh Karthik should have walked out with Jaffer, but the claims of both V.V.S. Laxman and Yuvraj Singh cannot be discounted.
Given this scenario, unless Rahul Dravid or M.S. Dhoni open the innings the team will have to be content with four bowlers. It is a catch 22 situation no doubt. Senior members cannot be dumped and at the same time it is clearly a case of one step forward and two steps back.
The attack will revolve in the hands of Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar and the seamers Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel. This is the best combination the team could afford given Sreesanth's injury and it does seem to posses to have the ammunition at least on paper to bag 20 wickets provided a minimum of four days of cricket is permitted by the weather gods.
The climatic conditions in these parts of the World can get cruel to the average cricket buff. When it rains in Bangladesh, it pours and given the grounds poor drain facilities, it would be impossible to get the wicket and the area near by in condition for play quickly. The series itself has not really evoked any interest to be honest and as followers we can only hope at least Test series throws up some good cricket.
Bangladesh have always trained their thoughts on the shorter version and have never really tested the big guns in the traditional format - Except once when they came close to get the better of Pakistan before a resurgent Inzamam-ul-Haq guided his team home.
The Bangladesh batsmen don't posses the temperament for Test cricket - to play out sessions in Test cricket is the key to set up games - and unfortunately they don’t have batsmen who have the technical wisdom to attain that. The bowlers too have been found wanting and an attack that consists primarily of flat left arm spin can never buy 20 wickets in Test cricket.
The Indian's would be itching to get off to a good start and begin the repair work post the World Cup that already received a shot in the arm with the ODI series win. It should be a continuation of the good work, weather permitting.
My XI for the first Test: Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel.
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2 comments:
Would you agree that suddenly India really looks weak and vulnerable. The big guns Dravid, Sachin, Sourav and Anil are past their peak and atleast I do not see anyone on the horizon,particularly bowling. I mean Munaf plays 1 match and sits out for 10 and he bowls at 120. Where is the consistency. There is not one exciting talent.
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