Feed Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 India could drop a spinner in favour of a pace-bowler for the third test against Sri Lanka starting Tuesday. More... Monday 2nd August 2010 Harbhajan out for the third Test? India could drop a spinner in favour of a pace-bowler for the third test against Sri Lanka starting Tuesday. The Indian spinners have been shown up by their Sri Lankan counterparts in the first two Tests - with both Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh getting meager returns. Harbhajan has bowled 87.5 overs in the first two Tests, with only 2 wickets to show for his efforts while Ojha's numbers are even more dire - 90 overs for a solitary wicket. In stark contrast, Muttiah Muralitharan snaffled eight wickets in the first Test in 61.4 overs while Ajantha Mendis got four in 63 overs in the second. Even a part-timer like Tilekaratne Dilshan has done better - his tally of 3 wickets equalling the combined total of India's best. The pitch at the P Sara Oval is expected to provide much more assistance to the seamers - and captain MS Dhoni could be tempted to drop his misfiring premier spinner in favour of Munaf Patel. This was made all the more likely after Dhoni ruled out playing five bowlers. In comments reported by the timesofindia.com, he said: "We have been very comfortable with the seven-four combination. "We will see the conditions and decide. Playing five bowlers is difficult. But if we see there is a real opportunity and we can play another seamer we will see that. "When it comes to the spinning department Sehwag has done well, and Yuvraj or Raina can also contribute with five or 10 overs." Harbhajan skipped nets on Sunday, with timesofindia suggesting he was carrying a side-strain. With his form already in doldrums, this could spell the end of the series for the Turbanator. When asked whether India would consider going in with three seamers, a source close to the indian team management told timesofindia: "It is not a bad idea given India's lack of depth in their spinners." "But a quality assessment can only be made after seeing the pitch on the day." Even if the pitch turns out to be flat as a pancake, it might not be a bad idea to throw Munaf into the mix. Harbhajan has been found wanting thus far and another flat track would only serve to further demoralise a bowler who seems desperately short of ideas right now.
Lord Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 no way,if hes fit,he must play. Munaf should replace Ojha if the pitch assists pacers,otherwise Mishy should come in. also if it is a seaming,i'd have Yuvraj instead of Raina
Lord Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 Gambhir out of 3rd Test,Bhajji doubtful Gautam Gambhir, the Indian opener, has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval, while offspinner Harbhajan Singh is also a doubtful starter. Gambhir had missed the second Test because of a swelling in the knee and Harbhajan, who was not at full fitness for the first Test, did not train with the team today. Gambhir's unavailability is a blow to India's chances of leveling a series they trail 0-1. M Vijay, who scored a half-century at the SSC, will retain his place alongside Virender Sehwag at the top of the order. The replacement for Harbhajan, should he not play, is not as clear cut. India will have to decide whether to play two spinners, Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra, or bring in a third seamer in Munaf Patel. Ojha was wicketless in the first Test and took 1 for 185 in the second. Gambhir, along with Harbhajan, had been rested from the squad for the tri-series that follows the Tests but he had trained with the team two days ahead of the third Test. Harbhajan had skipped a practice session on Sunday as well but the team management had suggested there was no injury scare. big blow:((
Sid Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 I fear we may drop vijay and make dravid open for creating space in the middle order to make yuvraj play and playing three seamers may turn out to be a blessing in disguise but none of the seamers gives you any confidence
Lord Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 I fear we may drop vijay and make dravid open for creating space in the middle order to make yuvraj play and playing three seamers may turn out to be a blessing in disguise but none of the seamers gives you any confidence that wont be such a bad idea
Lord Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 why do you say so? coz Dravid isnt looking in great touch,maybe a newer ball will help him.n ofcourse it'll allow both Yuvi n Raina to play. but it wont happen.Vijay will play
jusarrived Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 coz Dravid isnt looking in great touch,maybe a newer ball will help him.n ofcourse it'll allow both Yuvi n Raina to play. but it wont happen.Vijay will play done understand why we are trying hard to accommodate Yuvi here ? seriously , ahead of Vijay ?
DomainK Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 I fear we may drop vijay and make dravid open for creating space in the middle order to make yuvraj play and playing three seamers may turn out to be a blessing in disguise but none of the seamers gives you any confidence Bad idea for two reasons: 1. Vijay looked good. He deserves his share of opportunities and nothing better than a test against Lanka for that. 2. Dravid at opening has been tried before and has failed. No need to go back there. 3. Yuvraj is not special enough for so much adjustments just to make space for him.
Sid Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 Bad idea for two reasons: 1. Vijay looked good. He deserves his share of opportunities and nothing better than a test against Lanka for that. 2. Dravid at opening has been tried before and has failed. No need to go back there. 3. Yuvraj is not special enough for so much adjustments just to make space for him. I know its a bad idea but it came to mind becoz its happened earlier also(last aussie tour),
Lord Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 done understand why we are trying hard to accommodate Yuvi here ? seriously ' date=' ahead of Vijay ?[/quote'] as i said,it wont happen.if it does,it wont be the worst though.as long as Dravid's happy with it
cowboysfan Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 this is just great,this series has been a disaster.Is Sachin doubtful too?
Lord Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 ^ yes.in restrospect,we shouldnt have had the series:hehe:
Ravi. Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 Vijay is no better than Yuvraj. He is in the team just because of one hundread in Ipl.
Ranjha Posted August 2, 2010 Posted August 2, 2010 Vijay sucks. But still I wont drop him to adjust middle order batsman in the team. Either one of Yuvi or Raina should play. Imo Yuvi should play, but whoever out of these 2 shouldnt be the cause of an makeshift opener. Vijay should be replaced by an opener. It sucks Gambhir is not playign cuz vijay is not 1/10000th of the player Gambhir is.
Manny_Pacquiao Posted August 3, 2010 Posted August 3, 2010 wow. with all the injuries the team has had, drawing 1-1 will be an amazing achievement. lets hope we do it
Lord Posted August 4, 2010 Posted August 4, 2010 I fear we may drop vijay and make dravid open for creating space in the middle order to make yuvraj play and playing three seamers may turn out to be a blessing in disguise but none of the seamers gives you any confidence that wont be such a bad idea why do you say so? coz Dravid isnt looking in great touch,maybe a newer ball will help him.n ofcourse it'll allow both Yuvi n Raina to play. but it wont happen.Vijay will play done understand why we are trying hard to accommodate Yuvi here ? seriously ' date=' ahead of Vijay ?[/quote'] bola tha na,it wouldnt have been a bad option.Vijay did jack,wen faced with quality bowling:((
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