Indian cricket fans heaved a sigh of relief today when former captain Sachin Tendulkar was named in the team for the first two Tests of the four-Test series against Australia beginning next Wednesday.
The master batsman, who missed the Holland Cup, NatWest Challenge, and ICC Champions Trophy because of a tennis elbow, averages 63.33 in seven Tests against the Aussies when playing at home and his experience has been missed by an Indian team short of confidence and form.
There was much speculation about Tendulkar's place in the squad because of the injury, but the selectors have shown faith in his ability to get back to his best before the first Test. And Tendulkar, no matter in what form, will always be welcome.
One of the major points of discussion in this Indian team has been the opener's slot. With the inclusion of Aakash Chopra, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh, one can expect the discussion to continue for some time longer.
Skipper Sourav Ganguly had gone on record during the historic tour of Pakistan to say that he would prefer Singh to partner Sehwag at the top of the order in Tests. But that was six months ago. Since returning from the Champions Trophy, Ganguly has reportedly clarified that he was talking about a Yuvraj in good form.
Chopra, though, will find himself under immense pressure to deliver. In the practice match between India 'A' and India Seniors at Bangalore, Singh underlined his credentials as an opener with a superb 115 in the second innings. Sehwag, as the other opener, scored 146. Chopra, batting at number three, laboured to 25 off 75 balls after the openers had put on 279 in 55.2 overs.
The middle order, however, is packed with experience and talent. Rahul Dravid and V V S Laxman are prime contenders for the number three slot. Laxman's success he averages 83.64 in 15 innings against Australia is well documented. In his Test career since January 2000, Laxman has batted 32 times at number six and has an average of 53.36 against all comers.
But the Hyderabadi has a better average while playing as an opener (64.25 in five innings), at number three (58.60 in 10 innings), and number five (73.43 in eight innings). The dilemma for Ganguly and the team management, thus, is which position will get the maximum out of Laxman. Without doubt he intimidates the Australians and Laxman at number three may be the right choice for India.
But then Dravid averages 68.65 (58 innings) at number three and it could be a hard decision to move him down the order. The good thing is that he hasn't done too badly at number 4 (62.33 in four innings), number 5 (58.00 in five innings), or number 6 (84.75 in five innings).
To stick to one game plan will be the key to victory against the Australians. The selectors and the team management will have to show confidence in the batting order and stick with it for the series. Dravid and Laxman are both capable of playing at number three or number six. And for players of their class it will not be too difficult to adjust. But they need to be told where they will bat, so they can prepare themselves mentally for the task.
Tendulkar and skipper Ganguly take the other two slots in the middle order. Parthiv Patel, at number seven, has shown a lot of improvement with the bat, though his glovework has been disappointing. The selectors have already given Dinesh Kaarthik a look-in for the limited overs version and Patel will know that the knives are out.
Mohammad Kaif will probably not play in the Test matches, bar an injury to one of the key players.
Irfan Pathan, who only made his debut in Australia at the start of this season, is now widely regarded as the spearhead of this Indian attack. Pathan, the ICC's Emerging Player of the Year, has the ability to swing the ball in all conditions and in India that could make the vital difference.
Harbhajan Singh, destroyer-in-chief of Australia in 2001, and Anil Kumble, who performed exceedingly well in Australia in the 2003-04 season, are front-runners for the spinner slots. They will in all probability get the nod ahead of left-arm spinner Murali Kartik. It is a combination that is certain to worry the Aussies a lot.
Zaheer Khan, who, like Tendulkar, missed the Holland Tri-series, NatWest Challenge, and ICC Champions Trophy, also returns to the 15 member squad. Khan, who has recovered from his hamstring injury, will be in a head-on battle for the second seamer's slot with Mumbai fast-medium bowler Ajit Agarkar.
The selectors have gone in with tried and tested players. For a series against Australia, that is probably the best decision. Most of the players have played against Australia before and, more importantly, won against the world champions.
The first Test begins in Bangalore on October 6.
The Squad (Click to see the player's record): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, V V S Laxman, Aakash Chopra, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel (wk), Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Murali Karthik, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan