A stern test for young Indian side

By S. Dinakar

COLOMBO, JULY 18. A new country, a fresh challenge, a renewed hope. Yes, the Indian team believes it can turn things around in the `Emerald Island.

Sourav Ganguly's men might have endured a barren run in title matches but the mood is upbeat in the Indian camp. Ganguly feels this young side can only get better.

The battle of the mind has to be won and India has not really been playing too well when it really counts, allowing West Indies to first rattle up 290 odd and then losing the contest in the first 15 overs of the chase, though Sameer Dighe and Reetinder Singh Sodhi made a brave effort.

India begins its campaign against New Zealand - without Sachin Tendulkar - in the day/night game at the Premadasa Stadium on Friday. The situation presents a wonderful opportunity for the rest of the batsmen to prove that the side can conquer the conditions and the opposition even without this great player. In several respects, this is the moment of truth for the Indians.

For Friday's game, the Indians have announced their 13 and paceman Ajit Agarkar, who suffered a sunstroke during the practice game against Sri Lanka `A' at the NCC ground on Wednesday, has been ruled out. Also out of the reckoning for the Kiwi game is the Orissa swing bowler Debasis Mohanty.

With the `Mumbai Maestro' unavailable, Amay Khurasiya and Yuveraj Singh should fight it out for the opening batsman's slot, while left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi and `one-day' all- rounder Virendra Sehwag will vie for a place.

The careers of both Yuveraj and Khurasiya are at the crossroads. For Khurasiya, the hard-hitter from Indore, this is a `make or break' tour and the southpaw is perfectly aware of the situation. He has the strokes, but his shot selection has been far too ambitious on occasions and his career, despite some promising moments, has never really taken off. The dasher has the opportunity to make amends this time but will he get a look-in?

In Mumbai, Mr. Chandu Borde, chairman of the National selection panel made it clear that Khurasiya would open with Ganguly but the team management is now seriously considering Yuveraj's name for the slot.

Khurasiya and Yuveraj have a lot in common. Both are southpaws, love to get after the bowlers, and have had more than their share of failures, with their impulsive ways leading to their downfall. However, Yuveraj has age on his side.

Ganguly rediscovered his form in the one-dayers in Zimbabwe and he is a batsman who can clear the ground with effortless ease. He has a fine record in Sri Lanka too.

At No. 3, we should see V.V.S. Laxman, a batsman of staggering brilliance when in mood. But then, he underachieved on the seaming wickets of Zimbabwe, perhaps being a touch over- confident as well. The stylist from Hyderabad is extremely keen to get back into the groove.

The classy Rahul Dravid, whose commitment and courage have rarely been in doubt, had a fine tour of Zimbabwe, yet the proud performer would love to put behind the memories of the odd disappointment. Dravid missed Thursday's practice session with an stiff ankle, but Ganguly revealed he should be fit for the game. Hemang Badani, who oozes class, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, whose attitude and approach is a positive influence on the team, and Sameer Dighe, limited of talent, but large of heart, add depth to the line-up.

Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra should share the new ball, and the two left-arm seamers have made a distinct impression with their pace and movement in recent times.

Yet, the key man would be Harbhajan Singh. The off- spinner, incidentally, made his ODI debut at the Premadasa Stadium here three years ago, and on wickets that will have a bit of juice for him, he could prove a handful with his off-stump line, turn and bounce. The chances are that he would have the recalled Delhi left-arm spinner Sanghvi as his spin partner.

Well, Ganguly is confident and remembered the '99 edition at Toronto, where India actually pulled it off without the Mumbai maestro. Time will tell.

The Kiwis had a fine chance to surprise Lanka in the opening game, but as Fleming revealed later, the side lost one wicket too many early on in the chase. And the fact that the side conceded 29 extras did not help matters either; the New Zealanders, especially paceman Darryl Tuffey, will have to cut down on the wides and no-balls.

Against India, the Kiwis will be looking for Nathan Astle and Mathew Sinclair to fire at the top of the order. The initial setbacks certainly rattled the New Zealanders on Wednesday. Still, there were some gains for the Kiwis. The return of left- arm spinner Daniel Vettori has provided a fillip to the attack and Fleming sounded pleased about having an `attacking, wicket- taking option.'

And Chris Harris bowled and batted with usual spirit, his friendly exterior concealing his fighting qualities. Not to speak of his razor-sharp fielding. The exciting Lou Vincent's fielding is of the highest order too, and his presence along with that of Harris means the Indians will have to be extremely careful about stealing singles.

According to the Kiwi coach David Trist, the fitness of Dion Nash is being assessed on a day-to-day basis, and the pace-bowling all-rounder does have a chance of turning out against India. He should add teeth to the attack, and might come in for Jacob Oram.

Finally to Indian coach John Wright. When asked about battling it out against his countrymen, some of whom were former team-mates, Wright's reply was typical of the man. ``I am a professional first. In fact, because of all the attention, I would want India to win even more against New Zealand.''

The practice sessions of the teams were disrupted due to tension in the city following a political rally by the opposition, but hopefully things would clear by Friday.

The teams:

India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid (vice- captain), Amay Khurasiya, Yuveraj Singh, V.V.S. Laxman, Hemang Badani, Virendra Sehwag, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Sameer Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Rahul Sanghvi. Coach: John Wright.

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Mathew Sinclair, Craig McMillan, Lou Vincent, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Darryl Tuffey, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Grant Bradburn and James Franklin. Coach: David Trist.

Umpires: Mr. G. Silva & Mr. D.N. Pathriana. Third umpire: Mr. A. De Silva. Match Referee: Mr. Cammie Smith.

Hours of play (IST): 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., 6.15 p.m. till the end of play.

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