Sehwag's troops all set to test India's big boys
Posted on Sep 23, 2008 at 16:31 | Updated Sep 23, 2008 at 20:36
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Vadodara: With the chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar tipped to watch the five-day Irani Cup match between Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India from Wednesday, a big test awaits Rest's skipper Anil Kumble, as a wicket taking bowler, and former captain Rahul Dravid, to strike form with the bat before the home series against the Aussies starts in Bangalore on October nine.
With hardly any grass on the wicket, the strip is expected to help batsmen more at least for the first three days and hence a high scoring match is on the cards. Later, as the match progresses, the spinners might come into play and the grounds men here suggested that the toss would play an important role.
Though, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is breathing down Kumble's neck to takeover the Test captaincy, the leg-spinner is likely to continue till the two home series (other one against England) are completed, unless the Indians make a mess of their campaign against the world champions, now a bit inexperienced.
However, his unimpressive bowling during the Sri Lankan series, which India lost 1-2, is a big worry for the Indians and surely the Karnataka player would like to pick up a few wickets here, to regain his confidence, before the home series starts.
After the selectors decided to pick a virtual Test side for the Rest of India, except for Sachin Tendulkar, who has been advised to rest his elbow for some more time, the Rest start off as firm favourites in the season opener against Delhi, who have struggled a bit in their season opener Mohammad Nissar Trophy recently.
However, Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag meant business when he said "his team will be ready for any eventuality even though they were up against a team termed a virtual Test side" just before padding up for the nets.
The Delhi team had a strenuous workout in the morning with Sehwag and his Test opening partner Gautam Gambhir having a long hit in the nets followed by Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Aakash Chopra.
The selectors will also have a close look at India's new bowling sensation Ishant Sharma, who is said to have recovered fully from his injuries and left arm seamer Asish Nehra, another bowler trying to make a comeback into the Indian side.
Other two pacers in the Delhi squad will be the experienced Amit Bhandari and the promising youngster Pradeep Sangwan. Punit Bisht is their wicketkeeper. Others who will be viewing to impress the selectors, include spinner Chaytanya Nanda, Rajat Bhatia, Mithun Manhas, Narendra Singh, Gaurav Chhabra and Mayank Tehlan.
As soon as the Delhi team left the ground the Rest of India team had a workout under the supervision of India coach Gary Kirsten and bowling coach Ventakesh Prasad.
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