Kolkata, Feb 13 (Inditop.com) With the world’s top Test slot being the jackpot, a desperate India will be reinforced by the return from injuries of Venkata Sai Laxman and Shantakumaran Sreesanth for the must-win second cricket Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens beginning Sunday.
South Africa, on their part, received a shot in the arm when their captain Graeme Smith was declared fit.
Smith, who fractured a joint in his left little finger while practising Friday and was doubtful for the match, was pronounced fit after a long batting session at the nets Saturday as he did not experience any discomfort.
“Graeme is fit. He had no problems at the nets. He will play tomorrow,” South African media manager Michael Owen Smith told IANS.
Stylish batsman Laxman — seven short of 7,000 Test runs — and pacer Sreesanth look set to be drafted into the team in place of Murali Vijay and Ishant Sharma. That means Suresh Raina will have wait for his turn to make Test debut as Subramniam Badrinath should retain his place after his fifty in the first innings of his debut Test at Nagpur where India lost by an innings.
An off-colour paceman Ishant is under pressure to retain his place, but could still make it if the Indian think-tank decide to play three seamers considering the pace-friendly nature of the grassy Eden track. The seamers are also likely to extract movement with breeze assisting them as a couple of galleries have been demolished as part of the ground’s renovation ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
If the selectors continue to repose faith in Ishant, leg-spinner Amit Mishra could face the axe, as his efforts went fruitless despite the big turn he achieved at Nagpur.
Ahead 1-0, the South Africans need only a draw to win their first series in India in 10 years and that will also put them at the top of Test rankings, dislodging the hosts from their recently acquired numero uno status.
It was way back in 2000, that the tourists achieved their only series triumph in India, when the Hansie Cronje’s side beat the hosts 2-0, winning in Mumbai and Bangalore.
As for world Test standings, India will retain their leaders’ position, provided they manage to win the match to level the series.
Indian skipper Dhoni indicated his preference for four bowlers, but said the final decision on the team composition will be taken before the match.
Dhoni said Laxman’s return was expected to bolster the middle order, which collapsed to the pace and swing of South African quick Dale Steyne at Nagpur.
“Laxman is an important part of our batting line up. He rotates the strike and is also capable of hitting boundaries.”
But Dhoni is upset with the look of the track.
“Each country has its own special wicket. You go to South Africa and you get bounce and seam movement, in New Zealand it is swing and pace. And we are special because balls turn and bounce for the spinners,” he said.
The rivals have played two Tests at the Eden, winning one match each.
The teams (from)
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Subramaniam Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina.
South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Alviro Petersen, Mark Boucher (wicket-keeper), Paul Harris, Johan Botha, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn and Lonwabe Tsotsobe.
Umpires Ian Gould (England) and Steve Davies (Australia)
TV umpire: Ameish Saheba (India)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)
