Kamlesh Barjati
Banned
- Joined
- 26 May 2011
- Messages
- 1,087
- Reaction score
- 31
WINDSOR PARK ( Dominica): India head into the third Test looking for a series win, with concerns over slow over-rate, a fit Munaf Patel available for selection, an in-form Ishant Sharma and a wicket that will be similar to the one at Kensington Oval - hard and full of bounce.
Ishant's bowling has shouldered the responsibility of India's pace attack on the tour so far. On Monday, while playing football with his teammates, the bowler suffered a bruise - a freak one - under his eye but the team management said he is fine.
"It's a small cut but there's nothing to worry about. Ishant is in good shape for the match," senior batsman Rahul Dravid said.
Ishant's pace and ability to bounce has teamed up well with Praveen Kumar's swinging ways and the two can once again look to compliment each other at the Windsor Park. That should leave India with the question if Munaf - who is back to full fitness - can come back into the side replacing Abhimanyu Mithun.
Match fitness will be the key word when the team management takes the final call on the overall equation of the team. Mithun has so far looked ordinary, with neither pace nor bounce, but his ability to maintain one single line throughout has stood out. Munaf, in turn, has experience on his side and can make good use of the conditions.
However, as team sources indicate, if it is a matter of carrying on with the right form and rhythm for the moment, Mithun will most likely continue.
On the other hand, this Test will be Munaf's only chance for an outing ahead of the series in England where tougher conditions and a more formidable line-up is likely to greet him.
One thing is certain though - India will once again head into a Test match with only one specialist spinner in Harbhajan Singh.
For West Indies too, there won't be any changes. Fast bowlers Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul will lead the attack, skipper Darren Sammy will be first change and Devendra Bishoo will be the team's sole specialist spinner.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-west-indies/top-stories/3rd-Test-Fit-Munaf-may-replace-Mithun/articleshow/9117932.cms
Ishant's bowling has shouldered the responsibility of India's pace attack on the tour so far. On Monday, while playing football with his teammates, the bowler suffered a bruise - a freak one - under his eye but the team management said he is fine.
"It's a small cut but there's nothing to worry about. Ishant is in good shape for the match," senior batsman Rahul Dravid said.
Ishant's pace and ability to bounce has teamed up well with Praveen Kumar's swinging ways and the two can once again look to compliment each other at the Windsor Park. That should leave India with the question if Munaf - who is back to full fitness - can come back into the side replacing Abhimanyu Mithun.
Match fitness will be the key word when the team management takes the final call on the overall equation of the team. Mithun has so far looked ordinary, with neither pace nor bounce, but his ability to maintain one single line throughout has stood out. Munaf, in turn, has experience on his side and can make good use of the conditions.
However, as team sources indicate, if it is a matter of carrying on with the right form and rhythm for the moment, Mithun will most likely continue.
On the other hand, this Test will be Munaf's only chance for an outing ahead of the series in England where tougher conditions and a more formidable line-up is likely to greet him.
One thing is certain though - India will once again head into a Test match with only one specialist spinner in Harbhajan Singh.
For West Indies too, there won't be any changes. Fast bowlers Fidel Edwards and Ravi Rampaul will lead the attack, skipper Darren Sammy will be first change and Devendra Bishoo will be the team's sole specialist spinner.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-west-indies/top-stories/3rd-Test-Fit-Munaf-may-replace-Mithun/articleshow/9117932.cms
