Not sure of key, Ganguly works on combination

Not sure of key, Ganguly works on combination
Vinay Nayudu

MUMBAI, February 26: The nature of the playing square at the Wankhede Stadium seems to have thrown a spanner in the works of the Indians who would now need to re-work their strategy when they take on the Australians in the much-awaited first Test of Gavaskar-Border Trophy series stating here on Tuesday.

Having attracted a lot of attention and being the cynosure of Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly’s eyes, the 22-yard strip has seen a change in its nature from being a green top to a brownish one. A lot of grass too has been removed but still the pitch is expected to assist pace before it begins to turn and this has forced the Indians to re-think on their idea of applying the spin formula.Ganguly, however, put up a brave front saying that he was satisfied with the pitch. ‘‘It looks good,’’ he said adding, ‘‘you will need to stay at the wicket to get the runs.”

‘‘I am pleased with whatever we have been given.’’ Ganguly’s statements still came with a veiled countenance, his face speaking otherwise.

Given the status, India would in all probability would now think in terms of having a regular pace attack along with two spinners in leggie Narendra Hirwani and Harbhajan Singh instead of three.

As for the batting, India will have to decide on whether to play all its six frontline batsman including VVS Laxman and regular openers Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das. In that case, only Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar could be included leaving out Zaheer Khan.

If Zaheer is also to be accommodated then Laxman would need to open.Whatever the combination, left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi may find it difficult to get a place as the third spinner unless Ganguly chooses to play the spin card against all odds.

While the Indians have a lot of thinking to do on the team composition, the Australians face a different challenge. Saddened by the demise of Sir Don Bradman, the Aussies would look to focus on the challenge as to provide a fitting tribute by winning the Test 16th in a row.

For captain Steve Waugh, the presence of ‘‘grass’’ on the wicket was a surprising element something that may even boost the morale of a team that is yet to come to terms with the Indian conditions given their poor showing in the two warm-up games.

But then the kangaroos have been known to be fighters and the return of Mark Waugh who Steve said was recovering well and would be fit for the match lends strength to the batting.

Damien Fleming is expected to return to bowl alongside Glenn McGrath and so would Jason Gillespie. Shane Warne and Colin Miller would head the spin section.

But while things for Aussies look more or less comfortable, it is the Indians who are in a spot of bother with quite a few options available to choose from.Let aside the teams, the battle between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne or his comparison with Mark Waugh is all set to resume.

Teams (from)
India
S Ganguly (Captain), R Dravid (v-capt), S Ramesh, SS Das, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Hemang Badani, Nayan Mongia (wk), Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Rahul Sanghvi, Harbhajan Singh, Narendra Hirwani

Australia
Steve Waugh (Capt), A Gilchrist (v-capt), Mathew Hayden, Michael Slater, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Colin Miller, Damien Fleming, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz

Umpires:David Shepherd, S Venkatraghavan.

Third Umpire:Narendra Menon.