Ganguly back in opener's role

By Our Special Correspondent

SHARJAH, OCT. 25. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who was so vehement in giving himself the option to bat in the middler order, will open the innings with Sachin Tendulkar in the Coca Cola series match against Zimbabwe.

``I will open,'' he said after the team practised in hot and humid conditions at the outer nets of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The finality in his decision can be construed that he will revert to his original slot at the top against Sri Lanka and also in the final, should India qualify for the championship match.

``The coach (Aunshuman Gaekwad) is not happy'', he added. This meant that Gaekwad was not in agreement with Ganguly, who after the defeat against Sri Lanka in the first match, had sent in Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. The finger injury to Dravid was an accident, which not only ruled him out of the remaining part of the tournament, but also forced Gaekwad to think afresh and persuade Ganguly to bat at a No. 1 where he has been the most successful. Ganguly not happy with his personal record in Sharjah is now all geared up to put in his best effort, to start with the match against Zimbabwe on Thursday.

Ganguly announced the 12 for the match against Zimbabwe. ``Anil Kumble is not fit. He has an injury in the shoulder bone. Either Sriram or Hemang Badani will be in the XI. We are going to continue with Vinod Kambli. It's easy to drop players. But Kambli appeared to be in good nick before he got out,''said Ganguly. There was no doubt about Kambli's fitness, but after he bowled a delivery to Robin Singh at nets, Sachin Tendulkar, all in lighter vein yelled, ``Oh...boy, Kambli is fit again, Kambli is fit again.''

Seamer Venkatesh Prasad was not at the ground on Wednesday morning. ``He has a stiff neck. But he will be fit by tomorrow. We cannot affort to have too many serious injuries at this stage of the tournament,'' said Gaekwad.

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Section  : Sport
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