Yuvraj & Harbhajan Back, Muraliistheonlysurprise: Manoj: Have To Be Patient
Yuvraj & Harbhajan Back, Muraliistheonlysurprise: Manoj: Have To Be Patient
Yuvraj & Harbhajan Back, Muraliistheonlysurprise: Manoj: Have To Be Patient
XXCL
COMEBACK THREESOME
Yuvraj Singh
Harbhajan Singh
Murali Vijay
Calcutta: The national selectors have indeed looked beyond Suresh Raina, but instead of Manoj Tiwary, theyve settled on Ajinkya Rahane as the (reserve) middle-order batsman. Rahane is in the India XV for the first two Tests against England, in Ahmedabad and in Mumbai, respectively. Hes uncapped at the highest level. The 24-year-old was in the squad for the two Tests versus New Zealand, in August-September, but as the reserve opener. Rahane has opened for India in ODIs and T20 Internationals. But at the first-class level, hes been batting at No.3. The Mumbaikar did so even for India A against England last week. Its not the first time that Tiwary has lost out, but this probably was his best chance. The next may not come in a hurry. So, the next few weeks, possibly months too, are bound to test his mental toughness. Publicly, at least, Tiwary has taken it rather well. Ive just got to keep my patience... Im a firm believer that the day is not far away when things will fall in place... Starting from scratch is, however, never easy. Merely being in the Test squad would have done Tiwary a world of good, but the new committee, headed by Sandeep Patil, has gone along with the previous ones thinking. Turning out for India A, Tiwary did well to score 93 versus England, but he didnt set the Hooghly on fire in the Ranji opener against holders Rajasthan. Rahane made it easier for Patil and Co. by scor-
Chief selector Sandeep Patil and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the selection committee meeting, in Mumbai, on Monday
ing a hundred versus Railways. Rahane failed in the first innings against England, but did get 54 in India As second outing. While Yuvraj Singh was expected to make the squad and Harbhajan Singh stood a reasonable chance, Murali Vijay has been recalled out of the blue. Vijay had been a big failure (an average of 12.00) in his last Test series, in the West Indies in
June-July 2011, but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni rates him very highly. Plus, hed scored a
double for Rest of India versus Rajasthan some six weeks ago. Both Dhoni and Vijay turn
ITS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT TIWARY HAS LOST OUT, BUT THIS PROBABLY WAS HIS BEST CHANCE.THE NEXT MAY NOT COME IN A HURRY. SO, THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, POSSIBLY MONTHS TOO, ARE BOUND TO TEST HIS MENTAL TOUGHNESS
out for the Chennai Super Kings and, so, the captain knows him from really close quarters. With Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir retained, Vijay will sit in the dressing room, unless one of the two seniors gets injured. Sehwag got a hundred on Monday, for Delhi, but Vijays presence would put him and Gambhir on their toes. Like Harbhajan, Sehwag is two short of a century of
Tests. Barring the unexpected, the opener should get to the milestone in Mumbai, while Harbhajans getting there depends on how the XI is structured. Typically, Harbhajan took a swipe at critics after his selection. He must save his energy for the field, though. Of the three comeback men, Vijays last Test was 16 months ago. Its 15 months for Harbhajan and 12 months for Yuvraj. Each have reason to rejoice, but none more so than Yuvraj. Hes already made a T20 return, now hes days away from again turning out in the India whites. His has been an incredible script. Cheteshwar Pujara has quickly capitalised on Rahul Dravids retirement; Yuvraj has the chance to make permanent (to the extent possible) the slot occupied till recently by V .S. .V Laxman. Strangely, the Boards media release didnt mention that Dhonis been retained captain for the entire (four-Test) series, but a well-placed source of The Telegraph said hed be there for all the matches. Apparently there was no dis, cussion, with everybody assuming that Dhoni will be in the hot seat right through! Usually, a vice-captain isnt named for a home series and that has been strictly followed. Dhoni, known to strongly pitch for Raina, was present during the selection committee meeting in Mumbai. Coach Duncan Fletchers views were ascertained over the phone. Hes on vacation. Well earned? You decide.
Openers: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay Middle-order: Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Wicketkeeper: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain) Pacers: Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav Spinners: Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin
Note: Rahane has opened for India in ODIs and T20s.
THE TEST SCHEDULE 1st Test: Ahmedabad (November 15 19) 2nd Test: Mumbai (November 23 27) 3rd Test: Calcutta (December 5 9) 4th Test: Nagpur (December 13 17)
Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary with former India captain Sourav Ganguly at the Eden, on Monday Picture by Santosh Ghosh .