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Ganguly ruled out of final Test as India seek to clinch series
Mohali, Oct 15: Having allowed New Zealand to escape with a draw in Ahmedabad, India`s hopes of a series win suffered a jolt today with captain Sourav Ganguly being ruled out of the second and final cricket Test beginning here tomorrow.
Mohali, Oct 15: Having allowed New Zealand to escape with a draw in Ahmedabad, India's hopes of a series win suffered a jolt today with captain Sourav Ganguly being ruled
out of the second and final cricket Test beginning here tomorrow.
The captain's absence may give local hero Yuvraj Singh
the opportunity to earn his first Test cap, particularly with
stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid hinting that the team would go
in with four specialist bowlers.
The hosts still have enough ammunition to maintain their formidable home reputation and the injury blow to their skipper might just spur them on to excel against the odds.
Ganguly underwent a minor surgical procedure for an abscess on his left upper thigh last evening and doctors have advised him rest, rendering him hors de combat for the crucial match.
The Indian captain was present for the net session this morning but did not practice and eventually was ruled out of the match by the end of the session.
"Ganguly has not been feeling very well. It is a great honour to lead the side. I am really looking forward to the game," Dravid said, looking much in control of things.
Dravid said the playing eleven was yet to be decided. "We will discuss with the chairman of the selection committee Kirmani and John (Wright) before finalising the squad," he said.
The Kiwis showed remarkable resilience and character to save the first Test in Ahmedabad despite being in the dumps till the post-lunch session on the last day and have the ability to spring a surprise against the hosts on a track which may provide a lot more bounce to the bowlers.
Despite their unenviable track record at home, Dravid and his young brigade have a job at hand and will be under some pressure to deliver the knock-out punch at the magnificent PCA stadium and win the two-test series.
The drawn result in the Ahmedabad Test has not only left the hosts thoroughly disappointed but has raised a debate on the failure of the pitch authorities to take into account the home advantage factor while preparing the track.
The flat track in Ahmedabad provided very little assistance to the spinners even on the fourth and fifth day which allowed the black caps to wriggle out of a tight situation.
Even the normally unflappable Indian coach John Wright could not see much logic in preparing such tracks and made a point or two on why those responsible for preparing the pitch did not keep the home advantage factor in mind.
"It is the responsibility of people preparing wickets to keep these things in mind. Sometimes you probably need to raise these points with people responsible," Wright said.
Bureau Report
The hosts still have enough ammunition to maintain their formidable home reputation and the injury blow to their skipper might just spur them on to excel against the odds.
Ganguly underwent a minor surgical procedure for an abscess on his left upper thigh last evening and doctors have advised him rest, rendering him hors de combat for the crucial match.
The Indian captain was present for the net session this morning but did not practice and eventually was ruled out of the match by the end of the session.
"Ganguly has not been feeling very well. It is a great honour to lead the side. I am really looking forward to the game," Dravid said, looking much in control of things.
Dravid said the playing eleven was yet to be decided. "We will discuss with the chairman of the selection committee Kirmani and John (Wright) before finalising the squad," he said.
The Kiwis showed remarkable resilience and character to save the first Test in Ahmedabad despite being in the dumps till the post-lunch session on the last day and have the ability to spring a surprise against the hosts on a track which may provide a lot more bounce to the bowlers.
Despite their unenviable track record at home, Dravid and his young brigade have a job at hand and will be under some pressure to deliver the knock-out punch at the magnificent PCA stadium and win the two-test series.
The drawn result in the Ahmedabad Test has not only left the hosts thoroughly disappointed but has raised a debate on the failure of the pitch authorities to take into account the home advantage factor while preparing the track.
The flat track in Ahmedabad provided very little assistance to the spinners even on the fourth and fifth day which allowed the black caps to wriggle out of a tight situation.
Even the normally unflappable Indian coach John Wright could not see much logic in preparing such tracks and made a point or two on why those responsible for preparing the pitch did not keep the home advantage factor in mind.
"It is the responsibility of people preparing wickets to keep these things in mind. Sometimes you probably need to raise these points with people responsible," Wright said.
Bureau Report