Thursday, February 23, 2006

Is this the end of the road for Dada?

The Indian team announced for Nagpur test did not have SG today. It was almost expected but there was some hope especially after Yuvaraj went down and now it looks almost certain that Dada's innings at International stage has come to an end. Unless, India falls flat and is left so badly wounded by England (or the coming series'), it looks unlikely that SG will get another look.
In today's practice match, Munaf did his part, getting a 5fer and he has been on fire, not only in this match but thro' the Ranji season. He has even improved his batting but for some reason, VRV (who incidentally got thrashed today) got the nod ahead but in the end analysis it may not matter since neither of them will play in the final XI.
The other interesting move is to go with Piyush. Here is India's great, great hope of the coming years. I was really impressed by his bowling after watching the under-19 WC but the levels of cricket at International level is different and many a performer has not done graduation well. Piyush has to keep his head and mature quickly. For all you know, we have unearthed the next superstar.
Nagpur is expected to be a traditional dust bowl and the 5 batting slots will perhaps go to VS, WJ, VVS, SRT, RD and 5 bowlers with 3 spinners. This will mean that neither MK nor SR will get a look in. England seems to have its hands full with indifferent batting at the top, injury worries, a pace heavy attack that is unlikely to find any assistance in the puff coming off Vidhaba pitch. All in all, India seems to have played its cards well.

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