Possible replacement sought for Mongia

The team management feels that if it enters the Super Six, the matches, which are to start only on July 4 would give Mongia sufficient time to recover and be able to keep wickets.

The team made do with Rahul Dravid, in the last match, and maybe will use him in the next match too. But the star batsman is reluctant to keep on a long term. His plight will be worse if India fields first and he has to bat after keeping for 50overs.

In such a situation India might have been better off with skipper Mohammed Azharuddin at number three. But with the skipper so woefully out of touch he just might be reluctant at that position. Neither Robin Singh nor Ajay Jadeja has the skill to bat against a moving ball at number three.

It is learnt that Mongia will be examined by a panel of three doctors before the England Cricket Board decides if his condition is severe enough to warrant a replacement. The Indian team management8217;s idea of alerting Karim is to ensure that he finishes other regularities like visa, valid passport, etc.

If Karim is not in match-fit condition, Dravid will be asked to continue with wicket keeping. The management does not, however, want to risk a situation where Mongia will be fit for the Super Six and it is stuck with a second choice wicket-keeper. Hence they hope to delay the decision as long as possible, but at the same time put Karim on standbye.