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Team India mulls over its options
| Injury concerns mount as Sreesanth joins Kumble as a doubtful starter |
WHO WILL PLAY? Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla and Ishant Sharma focus on the fielding drills, even as there is uncertainty over team composition owing to injuries, two days ahead of the match.
Kanpur: The Green Park has witnessed — and often lent itself to — sterile encounters. The wicket, the heat and the pollution have prevented this ground, one of the oldest in India, from being favoured by teams. The nature of the soil in Kanpur has made it difficult for the track to offer bounce. Dull draws in the past have left it relying on individual glory.
The venue is now called upon for India to prevent its first series loss at home since Australia triumphed in 2004. For a variety of reasons, the series has built itself around the pitch. The wicket here has plenty of cracks, with the thinnest cover of dry grass barely noticeable. It was open for observation once Anil Kumble led his side for a practice session.
The South Africans had a practice session in the morning, with coach Mickey Arthur closely examining the wicket. “We expected such a wicket for this match after what happened in Ahmedabad. The wicket will go through the top very early but we are prepared for it. We are quite confident of doing well in this match also. They (Indians) might go in with three spinners,” said Arthur.
Toss crucialSuch a surface gives undue advantage to the side that wins the toss. “The toss will be very crucial here. It’s just sad that it will be playing such an important role in this match. No matter what India’s options are, we are well prepared. We’re not worried about what combination India will choose to play,” said Arthur.
India hasn’t lost a match in Kanpur since 1983. The period since then has seen two wins — both convincing ones — and three draws. The venue has seen 12 draws in all, with seven in a row in the 1960s and 70s, reflecting a reluctance to allow combat. South Africa hasn’t had it easy here. The encounter in 1996 saw it beaten by 280 runs, with Mohammad Azharuddin’s 163 fresh in memory.
Their more recent memory of the ground would be a high-scoring meaningless draw.
India’s concerns with injuries have been a ritual so far in this series. Sreesanth’s shoulder has announced itself in trouble, further flattening India’s bowling attack. A decision on Ishant Sharma and Anil Kumble will be taken on Thursday. India’s decision to go in with three spinners will depend on the availability of the two. Playing Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla and Ramesh Powar in Kumble’s absence will demand a lot out of the inexperience of Chawla and Powar.
Harbhajan has been the best bowler in the series so far but whether he can lead a spin attack remains to be seen. With Sreesanth injured as well, India can ill afford another listless spell of pace bowling.
Arthur also revealed that South Africa had the option of going in with Robin Peterson. Peterson’s inclusion would mean an undeserved rest for one of South Africa’s fast bowlers.
“We are keeping our options open. We have two spinners, which gives us choice depending on the wicket,” said Arthur. Dropping a batsman would be a better option.
The Indians had a full-length practice session on Wednesday evening. Powar and Sharma, who joined the squad on Tuesday, featured as well.
Fielding drillsThe ground fielding in both Tests has been blameworthy. Coach Gary Kirsten spent considerable time with drills specifically aimed at improving medium distance throwing and accuracy.
The heat has been sweltering, which makes it harder to preserve the wicket. Thorough watering has helped in its limited capacity. “Dealing with the heat isn’t too much of a problem for us. We’ve played in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where’s it’s been pretty much the same. Once you walk in, there’s little time to think of the heat,” said fast bowler Morne Morkel.
South Africa’s captain Graeme Smith equalled Hansie Cronje’s record for the most Test wins as captain, with 27. A chance awaits Smith to better it.
India, meanwhile, will hope its captain is fit.
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