Sehwag stays and Munaf returns
Published by Sameer on Tuesday, January 02, 2007.
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With the third and final Test about to start in a few minutes, the Indian team management has sprung a surprise... not by dropping Sehwag or Jaffer, but by retaining them for yet another match despite their poor application and commitment at the top of the batting order!
At the same time, Munaf Patel comes into the side after an ankle-injury layoff, with VRV Singh having to sit out even though he bowled his heart out in the earlier two Tests. However, drafting Munaf into the playing eleven for this match is the right step.
Also, MS Dhoni has to be kept out of the side due to bruised fingers. This is the right strategy too. I am sure that under other circumstances, Dhoni would've made it to the team even in the current state. However, with the World Cup coming up soon, there is no point in risking a bigger injury to his fingers. Dinesh Karthik, who displayed superb team-player attitude in the one-dayers and as a substitute in the first two Tests, makes a comeback into the Indian Test side after more than a year.
The Indian playing eleven are: V Sehwag, W Jaffer, R Dravid, S Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, S Ganguly, D Karthik, A Kumble, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, M Patel
I think the team is right for the Capetown pitch... which is dry and flat!
Update: Holy cow!! poor Dinesh Karthik has been asked to open the innings along with Wasim Jaffer to protect the out-of-sorts Sehwag!! I am disappointed that an experienced player like Rahul Dravid did not take on the responsibility of opening with Jaffer if at all Sehwag was to be protected! But anyways... let's see how things pan out!
At the same time, Munaf Patel comes into the side after an ankle-injury layoff, with VRV Singh having to sit out even though he bowled his heart out in the earlier two Tests. However, drafting Munaf into the playing eleven for this match is the right step.
Also, MS Dhoni has to be kept out of the side due to bruised fingers. This is the right strategy too. I am sure that under other circumstances, Dhoni would've made it to the team even in the current state. However, with the World Cup coming up soon, there is no point in risking a bigger injury to his fingers. Dinesh Karthik, who displayed superb team-player attitude in the one-dayers and as a substitute in the first two Tests, makes a comeback into the Indian Test side after more than a year.
The Indian playing eleven are: V Sehwag, W Jaffer, R Dravid, S Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, S Ganguly, D Karthik, A Kumble, Z Khan, S Sreesanth, M Patel
I think the team is right for the Capetown pitch... which is dry and flat!
Update: Holy cow!! poor Dinesh Karthik has been asked to open the innings along with Wasim Jaffer to protect the out-of-sorts Sehwag!! I am disappointed that an experienced player like Rahul Dravid did not take on the responsibility of opening with Jaffer if at all Sehwag was to be protected! But anyways... let's see how things pan out!
