Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Australia vs India Third Test: Indian Squad

India is going to play the third test of the four match series against Australia today at the W.A.C.A Stadium, Perth. India is 2-0 down in the test series with two matches remaining. So, both the upcoming matches are much more important for India as they have to win both the tests in order to level the series. Even a die hard Indian fan can not be that much optimistic to say that India would be bale to make the series draw, clinching tow successive victories in the last two tests.

India’s star batsmen could not show enough resistance in the last two tests, what was instrumental behind India’s loses in Melbourne and Sydney. It was really unexpected that India would lose in the second test, even after dominating for almost four days. India’s batting line up looked fragile when it broke down suddenly in the final day of second test.

Now, ahead of the third test, it is almost certain that opener Virender Sehwag is going to be rewarded for his recent century in a practice match, winning a place in the final line up. It would lead Indian batting line up to go through a reshuffle in the batting order. Virender Sehwag is likely to open the innings along with Wasim Jaffer. Rahul Dravid would come at no. 3 followed by Laxman, Tendulkar and Ganguly. In that case, Yuvraj Singh might be dropped from the first eleven.

One more change could be made in the Indian line up. Considering the pace friendly wicket of Perth, India might play three pacers, which would see Harbhajan Singh being dropped from the final line up. Irfan Pathan is under consideration for the place of the third pacer. Indian captain Anil Kumble has said that the final decision regarding the line up will be taken after observing the wicket at the morning of the match day.

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