India146;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 doesn8217;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 8212; though an additional member 8212; 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 it8217;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. India8217;s spin strength is increased with the in-form offie Harbhajan Singh, who missed the last tour through injury, replacing Murali Kartik. But it8217;s likely, given the pitches Pakistan have promised, that only one spinner will play.

And that8217;s where the fast bowling department 8212; possibly the balance of the team 8212; 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 doesn8217;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

	nbsp;	Questions that could be in the mind of the average fan, and the official reply 8226; 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 8226; Why was Mohammad Kaif dropped? Kaif has done well but he hasn8217;t played enough Test matches. He played at Ahmedabad after one and a half years 8226; Why was VRV Singh not considered? He has been with the team but he hasn8217;t fully recovered and is not fit enough for Tests 8226; 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. 8226; Why was Dinesh Kaarthick dropped? Dinesh has done well in Tests but hasn8217;t been having a good season. Story continues below this ad 8226; Why wasn8217;t Dheeraj Jadhav considered? He8217;s young and we weren8217;t that satisfied with him in the nets or in the Duleep and Ranji games. It8217;s not just runs, the approach also counts	nbsp;

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More