Skipper Rahul Dravid was looking lugubriously upwards during the team’s nets today. Just a day remaining in office and with things not looking bright, Dravid has more things to lose — including the captaincy — than gain from Thursday’s day-night encounter against New Zealand at the Barabati Stadium here. Virender Sehwag is all ears as coach John Wright makes a point during practice and (L) Rahul Dravid during a press briefing. Express photos by Shamim Qureshy It is not difficult to discern the problems facing the Indian team management. Like the Weapons of Mass Destruction, Virender Sehwag’s form has disappeared from India’s arsenal; bowling spearhead Anil Kumble won’t be unavailable for this crucial match and Mohammad Kaif has not been among the runs while the middle order has not been performing to its reputation. In a nutshell, the Indian start has not been blazing. It truly is a nightmare scenario for Dravid, who will be handing over the baton back to Saurav Ganguly after tomorrow’s encounter. The skipper tried some diplomatic waffle by brushing aside team’s concerns but the fact that he has plenty of worries was evident from his refusal to announce the playing XI, or even the 12 for the tomorrow’s clash. Instead, what he announced on the eve of the match was, ‘‘All the players are available for selection.’’ That includes 14th player Sairaj Bahutule, who would be joining the team hours before the match! Fleming’s remarks: Nothing official about it, says Ross Cuttack: New Zealand coach Ashley Ross today downplayed the comments made by captain Stephen Fleming about the itinerary calling it strictly his personal comment and not an official version. The Australia-born coach told reporters, after a 90-minute workout at the floodlit Barabati Stadium here tonight, ‘‘The comments made by Fleming are strictly his personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the official version.’’ ‘‘Any official version will have to come through New Zealand Cricket Board and as far as they are concerned there is no such problem. India is a great side and we are happy to be here. We are enjoying the tour and the floodight stadium of Barabati is very inviting for another game of competitive cricket,’’ he added. Compounding the Indians’ worries is the Barabati pitch which must have taken in gallons of water this season, thanks to the extended monsoon the state experienced this year. Although the pitch and the 30-yard circle around have come under the covers, yet it was only for the last eight days. ‘‘It would be a belter,’’ predicted curator Pravin Mukherjee. The same was the prediction when Orissa took on Baroda here last year. The home team was bundled out twice inside a hot and humid day then by the Baroda pacers Rakesh Patel and Irfan Pathan. No doubt, pitch reading has been as reliable as the weather bulletin, particularly this season. In contrast, the New Zealanders have nothing to lose. From their close defeat against the indomitable Aussies at Pune the other day, the Kiwis have unravelled a genuine all-rounder in Jacob Oram, an explosive batsman in Brendon McCullum who tore apart the fiery Aussie attack. But for some uncharacteristically sloppy fielding, the Black Caps would have ended up winners at Pune. TEAMS INDIA (from 14): Rahul Dravid (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Ajit Agarkar, Parthiv Patel, Sairaj Bahutule, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Hemang Badani, Murali Kartik. NEW ZEALAND (from 12): Stephen Fleming (captain), Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Chris Nevin, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Ian Butler and Paul Hitchcock. The Kiwis practised this afternoon and looked confident. They seem to have no selection problems like the Indians. They even have announced their 12, which leaves out Chris Cairns and Paul Hitchcock. Despite the Kiwis’ exuberance in the nets today and their coach Ashley Ross’ talk of pulling off a win tomorrow, it perhaps would be safe not to term them favourites against a side that has Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag, VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh in its ranks. But one can safely bet on a keen contest under the lights tomorrow.
