Harbhajan included despite sprained ankle
Singh has been a constant menace to Australia since leading India to a stunning 2-1 series victory.
MOHALI:
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was included in the team despite a sprained ankle that had made him doubtful for the first test match against Australia in Mohali on Friday.
Updated from print edition (below)
Harbhajan doubtful for series opener
Indian star off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is doubtful for the opening Test against Australia that starts in Mohali today due to a leg injury.
Singh has been a constant menace to Australia since leading India to a stunning 2-1 series victory over Steve Waugh’s team with a 32-wicket haul in three home matches in 2001. He has taken 79 wickets in 14 Tests against Australia.
“We will decide on Harbhajan in the morning,” said Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “He’s been our main spinner since Anil Kumble left cricket [in 2008]. He has been well-supported by spinners Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha, but the main attack has always revolved around him.
“It is a bit of a concern, but you can’t control cricketing injuries. We’re just hoping he’ll be available for selection, but if he’s not we’ll have to make use of the available resources in the best possible manner.”
Harbhajan’s loss would be a major blow to India as he is the most experienced spinner in the squad, with 357 wickets in 85 Tests.
Top-ranking does not add pressure
The Indian captain said his team were not under pressure because of their number-one Test ranking, but were keen on playing competitive cricket and winning “more sessions” than the opposition.
“You are expected to win if you are playing at home. Your ranking doesn’t matter much. In a five-day match, it’s all about winning more sessions. The team which wins more sessions will generally win the match. In India, the last two days will be crucial because there will more turn for spinners and fast bowlers get the ball to reverse swing.”
Tough challenge expected
Dhoni also said his team were expecting a tough challenge from Ricky Ponting’s Australians despite their number-four ranking.
“They are aggressive and look for results. They always come up with good plans and they’ll be up for the challenge. But we know which areas we need to improve. It’s always good to play against top teams because there’s a fierce competition on the field and at the same time you see where you are at that moment as far as form and talent are concerned. It will be a good series.”
Ponting wants series reversal
Having lost the Test series 2-0 in 2008, setting the record straight is high on Ponting’s priority list.
“Whenever I’ve spoken about this series over the last couple of weeks, I’ve said how important it is for the international game that this series is played in the right spirit,” said Ponting. “You’ve got to expect that it’s going to be a fierce contest because you’ve got two very good teams playing international sport.
“But both teams will understand that they can’t overstep the line. There’s enough negativity around the world at the moment about international cricket that we have to do the best we can in this series to ensure that people want to watch the game again. There’s no doubt that things have been tarnished a bit the last few weeks.”
Captain needs runs
Ponting, who averages 54.66 overall, has rarely tasted success in India during his illustrious career. He has scored 438 runs in 12 Tests in India with just one century, averaging 20.85.
“It’s a place that I’ve never mastered. I’ve never mastered batting in these conditions,” the Australian skipper told reporters on Thursday.
“I felt that in the last series over here [in 2008], I took some really big strides in becoming a better player on the subcontinent. My first hundred in Bangalore at the start of the series was satisfying.
“I made 80-odd in Delhi. There were some positive signs for me last time and learning a bit more about the conditions and the Indian bowlers gives me a chance to hopefully have a good series.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2010.
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was included in the team despite a sprained ankle that had made him doubtful for the first test match against Australia in Mohali on Friday.
Meanwhile, Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat.
Updated from print edition (below)
Harbhajan doubtful for series opener
Indian star off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is doubtful for the opening Test against Australia that starts in Mohali today due to a leg injury.
Singh has been a constant menace to Australia since leading India to a stunning 2-1 series victory over Steve Waugh’s team with a 32-wicket haul in three home matches in 2001. He has taken 79 wickets in 14 Tests against Australia.
“We will decide on Harbhajan in the morning,” said Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “He’s been our main spinner since Anil Kumble left cricket [in 2008]. He has been well-supported by spinners Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha, but the main attack has always revolved around him.
“It is a bit of a concern, but you can’t control cricketing injuries. We’re just hoping he’ll be available for selection, but if he’s not we’ll have to make use of the available resources in the best possible manner.”
Harbhajan’s loss would be a major blow to India as he is the most experienced spinner in the squad, with 357 wickets in 85 Tests.
Top-ranking does not add pressure
The Indian captain said his team were not under pressure because of their number-one Test ranking, but were keen on playing competitive cricket and winning “more sessions” than the opposition.
“You are expected to win if you are playing at home. Your ranking doesn’t matter much. In a five-day match, it’s all about winning more sessions. The team which wins more sessions will generally win the match. In India, the last two days will be crucial because there will more turn for spinners and fast bowlers get the ball to reverse swing.”
Tough challenge expected
Dhoni also said his team were expecting a tough challenge from Ricky Ponting’s Australians despite their number-four ranking.
“They are aggressive and look for results. They always come up with good plans and they’ll be up for the challenge. But we know which areas we need to improve. It’s always good to play against top teams because there’s a fierce competition on the field and at the same time you see where you are at that moment as far as form and talent are concerned. It will be a good series.”
Ponting wants series reversal
Having lost the Test series 2-0 in 2008, setting the record straight is high on Ponting’s priority list.
“Whenever I’ve spoken about this series over the last couple of weeks, I’ve said how important it is for the international game that this series is played in the right spirit,” said Ponting. “You’ve got to expect that it’s going to be a fierce contest because you’ve got two very good teams playing international sport.
“But both teams will understand that they can’t overstep the line. There’s enough negativity around the world at the moment about international cricket that we have to do the best we can in this series to ensure that people want to watch the game again. There’s no doubt that things have been tarnished a bit the last few weeks.”
Captain needs runs
Ponting, who averages 54.66 overall, has rarely tasted success in India during his illustrious career. He has scored 438 runs in 12 Tests in India with just one century, averaging 20.85.
“It’s a place that I’ve never mastered. I’ve never mastered batting in these conditions,” the Australian skipper told reporters on Thursday.
“I felt that in the last series over here [in 2008], I took some really big strides in becoming a better player on the subcontinent. My first hundred in Bangalore at the start of the series was satisfying.
“I made 80-odd in Delhi. There were some positive signs for me last time and learning a bit more about the conditions and the Indian bowlers gives me a chance to hopefully have a good series.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2010.