2nd Test: India look to seal series in Mumbai

Sehwag to play 100th Test as England aim to bounce back.

A buoyant Indian side will look to maintain their stranglehold over England in the second Test that starts in Mumbai today.

The hosts lead 1-0 courtesy a nine-wicket win in the opening match and another victory would seal the series in India’s favour, thereby refusing England their first series win on Indian soil since 27 years. There might be some changes to the Indian playing-XI as fast-bowler Umesh Yadav is unfit, according to skipper M S Dhoni.

“Umesh is unfit for this Test,” said Dhoni on the eve of the match. “He has a sore back. We play with two seamers and two spinners, and we  can’t take a risk to play him in this match. He is most likely to miss it.”

Meanwhile, England captain Alastair Cook said his team should take lessons from the last Test and double their efforts in Mumbai.

“Now we have got the chance and the opportunity to try and put it right,” said Cook. “That is what we will have to do. We have to try and learn from last week and play well.”

Sehwag to appear in
100th Test

Meanwhile, opener Virender Sehwag will become the ninth Indian player to feature in 100 Tests if he takes the field today.

The big-hitting opener, who was responsible for an impressive 117 against England in India’s first massive innings, will be crucial again in the outcome of the second Test.

In 99 Tests so far, Sehwag has scored 8,448 runs at an average of 50.89. Among Indian batsmen who have played 100 Tests, only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar have a higher average and century tally than Sehwag.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2012.