Sreesanth could be the answer to India's bowling concerns, but his chances of playing the 2nd test appear slim
Sreesanth could be the answer to India's bowling concerns, but his chances of playing the 2nd test appear slim
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Zaheer Khan, India's premier bowler, didn't even turn up at Green Park for the Indian team's nets session yesterday afternoon, two days ahead of their second Test against Sri Lanka. The bowler who looked like getting a wicket in each of his spells in Ahmedabad last week, preferred to relax at the hotel.
Ishant Sharma is once again likely to get the nod over S Sreesanth, who was the most impressive bowler in the nets session. The Kerala pacer consistently beat the batsmen and drew applause from most of them. Still, Sreesanth will in all likelihood be unlucky and have to serve drinks during the Test match.u00a0
The only reason Sreesanth may get a look in is if curator Shiv Kumar, in his wildest dreams, forgets to shave off the tinge of grass on the wicket.
Even former India assistant coach Lalchand Rajput felt there was no point in changing the balance of the pace and spin department. "I don't think they will keep a grass cover on the wicket, so we should play with two pace and spin bowlers," Rajput said.
It means India will be in no mood to unsettle their bowling combination. But that brings us to the next big question: Who will be Harbhajan's partner in the spin department?
Amit Mishra, who was the most expensive bowler in Ahmedabad, will be pushed hard by Pragyan Ojha, who rejoined the team after turning his arm over for Hyderabad in last week's Ranji Trophy tie against Gujarat.
Though the Motera track hardly offered anything for spinners, including the great Muttiah Muralitharan as pointed out by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mishra would certainly be low on confidence ahead of tomorrow's tie.
Spin option
"We do have an option for the second spinner's slot. And Pragyan has been bowling well. So, I think they should consider him seriously before finalising the playing eleven," Rajput said.
The Kanpur wicket is expected to start assisting tweakers come Day Three and if India are to have an upper hand over Sri Lanka, the thrust will be on the spinners on various counts.
One, they will have to outperform a formidable Lankan spin line-up of Muralitharan, Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis but also Sri Lankan batsmen proved in Ahmedabad that they can match the best in the world when it comes to facing quality spin bowling.
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