India’s pace problem may be from within

Ganguly in, Parthiv in, Kaif out, no VRV Singh, only four fast bowlers. Something suggests Greg Chappell has compromised on the squad select...

Ganguly in, Parthiv in, Kaif out, no VRV Singh, only four fast bowlers. Something suggests Greg Chappell has compromised on the squad selection; it somehow doesn’t seem to bear his stamp of youth, utility and energy.

On the face of it, India travel to Pakistan with roughly the same team composition — though an additional member — as the last time they were there, two seasons ago. That time India had seven batsman, six bowlers, an all-rounder and a wicket-keeper; this time it’s 8-6-2 (or 7-6-1-2, depending on how you categorise Ganguly).

The problem area is in the bowling department where, at first glance, the 4-pace-2-spin combination is similar to 2003. India’s spin strength is increased with the in-form offie Harbhajan Singh, who missed the last tour through injury, replacing Murali Kartik. But it’s likely, given the pitches Pakistan have promised, that only one spinner will play.

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And that’s where the fast bowling department — possibly the balance of the team — falls short. With three likely to play, that leaves one on the bench. A risky policy in what should be a high-stress tour.

True, there were four the last time as well but the 16th member should have been a fast bowler. There was a general feeling that India would go with five pacers but the inclusion of Ganguly and Parthiv changed the equation.

Besides, this foursome doesn’t have a surprise element, something that had done the trick last time around. Irfan Pathan and L Balaji were just a series old when they toured Pakistan and they finished with 12 wickets.

VRV Singh would have been a perfect choice but as we were told injury ruled him out. Yet the feeling is inescapable that if the selectors wanted a Patel in the side, they should have gone for Munaf instead of Parthiv.

FAQS FOR THE FANS

		Questions that could be in the mind of the average fan, and the official reply • Why include Zaheer Khan now after the long international hiatus? We need experience for this tour and he has been bowling well in domestic circuit. Story continues below this ad • Why was Mohammad Kaif dropped? Kaif has done well but he hasn’t played enough Test matches. He played at Ahmedabad after one and a half years • Why was VRV Singh not considered? He has been with the team but he hasn’t fully recovered and is not fit enough for Tests • Will Ganguly be in the playing XI? The eleven will be decided by the tour management: Captain Dravid, coach Chappell, tour manager Raj Singh Dungarpur and the selector who accompanies the team. • Why was Dinesh Kaarthick dropped? Dinesh has done well in Tests but hasn’t been having a good season. Story continues below this ad • Why wasn’t Dheeraj Jadhav considered? He’s young and we weren’t that satisfied with him in the nets or in the Duleep and Ranji games. It’s not just runs, the approach also counts

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