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This is an archive article published on September 20, 2005
India146;s problems lie within
Cricket finally returns to centre-stage tomorrow at Harare, a ground that spells disaster for Indian teams. Twice 8212; in 1998 and 2001 ...
Written by Press Trust Of India
Harare | September 20, 2005 12:00 AM IST
2 min read
2 min read
Cricket finally returns to centre-stage tomorrow at Harare, a ground that spells disaster for Indian teams. Twice 8212; in 1998 and 2001 8212; India have lost to the hosts at this venue; a third defeat seems unlikely given the strength of the opposition but stranger things have happened in sport.
Now that it8217;s obvious that captain Sourav Ganguly and coach Greg Chapell do not have similar views about a few selections, notably those of Zaheer and Kaif, it will be interesting to see the final composition of the playing XI for tomorrow.
Kaif apart, there is little to guess about the batting composition. In the bowling department, though, India could consider giving Laxmipathy Balaji a chance. The Tamil Nadu youngster has had little cricket since the season started two months ago: a game in the tri-series in Sri Lanka and a warm-up game in Mutare on this tour.
India will also have to choose between Harbhajan and Kumble. Two spinners on this spongy, bouncy venue is a luxury, even though the blooming summer can turn it into a dusty track on the fourth day.
Much of the damage is being done upfront by Pathan, whose incoming swinging deliveries have won him 50 per cent of his 54 scalps as leg-before victims.
The rumblings in the Indian team could work to the advantage of the hosts, who are battling with problems of their own. Zimbabwe showed some encouraging signs in Bulawayo, especially in the first innings, but batting remains their embarrassment these days.
Time and again they have relied on their skipper Taibu to come good with scores but it has only been valiant and little else in the team8217;s context.
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