For India, next three ODIs could be winning test

Gambhir’s likely inclusion could see Sachin sitting it out. Significantly, Chappell didn’t name a squad of 13 today, as he has earlier in the series, an indication that they would take a decision on Sachin tomorrow.

The word is that Tendulkar — who had a lengthy discussion with chief selector Kiran More this afternoon — won’t play all seven matches and this is as good a time as any to put Gambhir’s ODI credentials to the test and reunite him with his Delhi mate and Test opening partner.

One man who has no doubt about the left-hander’s limited-overs viability is India A coach Sandeep Patil. Gambhir, he says, is more explosive than even MS Dhoni. ‘‘I used to call him the Amitabh Bachchan of the team, an angry young man with a short a fuse. But he is a naturally aggressive player,’’ Patil said.

The other untried player, left-arm pacer RP Singh, could come in for Sreesanth, unremarkable so far. The two of them started the batting at the nets today, another Chappell googly, but only one of them should make the cut tomorrow.

Sunday morning’s selection of the playing 12 might not be too significant but the one in the evening will give a clear idea about Indian cricket’s larger vision. With Mohammad Kaif fit again, will the selectors keep faith in the rookies or bring back the man tipped to be a future captain? None of the youngsters have given the selectors any reason to justify dropping them.

Indeed, even the opposition has been impressed by them. Elsewhere on these pages, Kumar Sangakkara has waxed lyrical on Venugopala Rao’s talent. And when Lankan coach Tom Moody was asked about Dhoni’s knock that decided the game at Pune, he threw a curve ball: ‘‘Dhoni did play a role but it was Raina who really took the game away from us.’’

There is enough reason to include Kaif, of course, but also much to keep him out. He is a known commodity, his form is being tested in the Duleep Trophy. Playing him now will not reveal anything new about him. Instead, these matches could be used to give the youngsters a longer run — and retain the winning combination.

There is one more question, of course, but it more or less answered itself today. What to do with Sourav Ganguly? Well, he followed up his century last week with 14 today so that should take care of that.