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Sachin - Saurav to open in World Cup?


shailesh

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TOI CAPE TOWN, Jan 4: After all the drama and shenanigans here ahead of the third Test, the axe finally seems to be coming Virender Sehwag's way. According to sources close to the selection panel, the mercurial opener, who batted in the middle order and actually held on to his place here as the second spinner, might be given a brief respite for the home series against West Indies. "We all agree that he is a good player and has a fine record too. But he's going through a wretched phase at the moment," they said. "How long can anybody continue with him if it looks like he'll get out off every ball that he faces?" The only quandary before the selection panel is that the team has to be announced on January 10. Exactly two days later, on January 12, the 30-member probables for the World Cup has to be picked. If Sehwag is omitted from the first list how can he be included in the second one? "I don't really want to comment on that," said Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of the selection panel. "It will become clear only after all of us selectors meet and also get the feedback from the captain and coach." The sources, however, insist that Sourav Ganguly is almost certain to replace him. "He has played well here and it might be a good time to revive the old partnership between him and Tendulkar at the top of the order." The big problem before the selection panel is the void in the middle order. With Suresh Raina and Mohammed Kaif losing favour and VVS Laxman perceived to be too slow between the wickets and on the field, there might be a mad scramble for places in the middle order. The good news is that Yuvraj Singh is apparently well on his way to regaining his fitness too. There is some bad news for Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan though. The selectors are believed to be very impressed with the record of Joginder Sharma this season. The all-rounder from Haryana is the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy and has been quite effective with the bat. "He is almost certain to get another chance. It will be too risky to include Irfan as the fifth bowler if he doesn't recover his form quickly enough. Harbhajan too has been most disappointing here. He should have played in this Test as the second spinner but the team management wasn't too enthused," the source said. Luckily, the selectors do not have too many concerns in the pace bowling department. Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth and Munaf Patel (if he stays fit) are certainties after their splendid performances here. In fact, the chairman of selectors is learnt to be keen for all the players, apart from Zaheer, Sreesanth and Kumble to play in the next round of Ranji matches, starting on January 10. That means the players will not have the luxury of keeping their kits tucked in even for a week; they will have to be out on the field within three days of returning after this long tour from South Africa.

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Re: Sachin - Saurav to open in World Cup?

"We all agree that he is a good player and has a fine record too. But he's going through a wretched phase at the moment," they said. "How long can anybody continue with him if it looks like he'll get out off every ball that he faces?"
That is absolutely correct. If someone has had bad form for about 3-4 he is not going to have too many by his side that trusts his ability.
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Re: Sachin - Saurav to open in World Cup?

According to sources close to the selection panel
Yoda, that are all speculations and it is not a confirmed news. I don't reckon Ganguly will be as effective at the top anymore but he sure deserves a chance in the XI and IMO will do a decent job in the middle order or late middle order when the ball is old. Also due to only one bouncer allowed in ODIs he will be far more comfortable.
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