Sport

Fitness worries for India ahead of series decider

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

GEARING UP: Yuvraj Singh, who missed the first two Tests, is almost certain to play in the crucial Test at Bangalore.

Bangalore: It continues to rain in Bangalore. Fitness-related issues in the Indian camp are also clouded by doubts.

Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni practised at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday but are uncertain starters for the third IndianOil Test beginning on Saturday. Tendulkar has a sore right knee and Dhoni, a strained left ankle and a painful right webbing.

With the Australian campaign looming, the selectors are unlikely to risk the fitness of key cricketers. Team manager Lalchand Rajput said only one of the two players in question could eventually figure in the eleven. He conceded back-to-back matches were taking their toll on players. With the gaps between series almost non-existent, player-burnout and injuries are major areas of concern.

Left-handed batsman Gautam Gambhir has been drafted into the squad as cover. At this point, southpaw Yuvraj Singh is virtually certain of making the eleven.

Keeping the heavy atmosphere in mind, swing bowler Irfan Pathan should be an automatic choice. It will be a toss-up between Ishant Sharma and V.R.V. Singh for the second paceman’s spot. Sourav Ganguly would enjoy bowling in this weather if he recovers swiftly from a bout of fever.

The influential Younis Khan will lead Pakistan in a must-win Test; a draw would suit India, leading 1-0, fine. Younis once again indicated he was not interested in captaincy on a more permanent basis; this is a job where the skipper has to cope with selection-related issues.

Pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar is fit and ready, while Mohammad Sami could make way for either Yasser Arafat or Rao Iftekar Anjum. Pakistan will need to strike quick and hard to seize the initiative. The conditions suggest inserting the opposition could be a wise ploy.

The light will be a major factor in the Test. Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle confirmed to The Hindu that the playing conditions for the series do not include the use of artificial lights. So, when the umpires look at the light meters, they will not have floodlights in mind.

The conditions will play as much a part as the nature of the surface. The ground, including the pitch and the square, is not watered during a Test in India. However, there is bound to be sweating under the covers as the roots — even if the grass on the surface is shaved off — could absorb water. The square is covered but there could be capillary movement of water from underneath the outfield to the pitch. The pacemen stand to benefit.

The nature of wickets for Tests in the country have come under the scanner. The South Zone representative of the BCCI’s Pitches and Grounds Committee, P.R. Viswanathan, told The Hindu that the top surface of the pitch— six to eight inches — should have an ideal mix of clay, sand and other materials.

“For there to be bounce and carry, there should be a minimum of 50 per cent of clay, while the sand should not be more than 10 per cent. The rest could be silt or organic materials. The next layer of granite or bricks or red pebbles do not really matter,” he revealed.

The pitch to be used for the third Test has been re-laid. It is believed that a harder variety of clay has been used. Will this surface have more carry for the bowlers?

The teams (from): India: A. Kumble (capt.), W. Jaffer, D. Karthik, R. Dravid, S. Tendulkar, S. Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, M.S. Dhoni, I. Pathan, H. Singh, V.R.V. Singh, I. Sharma, Y. Singh, M. Kartik, G. Gambhir.

Pakistan: Y. Khan (capt.), S. Butt, Y. Hameed, M. Yousuf, Misbah, F. Iqbal, K. Akmal, M. Sami, S. Tanvir, S. Akhtar, D. Kaneria, R.I. Anjum, Y. Arafat, A. Rehman.

Umpires: S. Taufel & R. Koerzten; Third umpire: Pratap Kumar; Match Referee: R. Madugalle.

Match starts at 9.30 a.m.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu