Only Sachin Tendulkar has a clue about India’s next destination, and that information is generated from the memory of his 1992 stint. Tendulkar perhaps has answers to the questions Australia will hurl at India at Perth, but he and the team management, is looking for someone to return the compliment.

The second day’s play of the tour match against ACT XI made the choice obvious. With the choice of the third seamer—who can join forces with RP Singh and Ishant Sharma—looking rather bleak, Harbhajan Singh’s case for being included in the third Test has been strengthened. And that is apart from the fact that the team is supporting him to the hilt in the ‘racist’ charge.

VRV Singh has the reputation of being the quickest among the Indian pacers here, while Irfan Pathan is the most experienced. Pankaj Singh is the in-form bowler coming off the domestic circuit. Yet the trio did little on field today to stop the Rogers—John and Chris—from scoring at will and despite the fact that Indians took this game lightly, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had to utilise nine bowlers, including himself—and yet failed to bowl out the opposition in the time frame of 93 overs. At the close of play, ACT XI was 292/8.

Irfan Pathan started with the new ball but never really troubled the batsmen. He finally got a wicket, the eighth batsman to fall, but VRV and Pankaj struggled.

Pankaj bowled his heart out, but even his best was not impressive enough for Team India think-tank to be discussing his name as a possible inclusion in the squad for the third Test.

... contd.