Karthik,Vijay return to give TN last-minute boost

Even as Tamil Nadu practiced at the Gandhi Grounds here ahead of their Super League match against hosts Punjab,covered in layers of...

Even as Tamil Nadu practiced at the Gandhi Grounds here ahead of their Super League match against hosts Punjab,covered in layers of woollens to keep warm during fielding sessions,news from the India camp must have warmed the dressing room.

Skipper Dinesh Karthik has been cleared to play this tie despite having been served with a one-match suspension for excessive appealing in their last game (against Gujarat). More importantly,their in-form opener Murali Vijay will be arriving to lend teeth to their batting for the match beginning Tuesday,after being released by the Indian team management in Ahmedabad.

On the other hand,the hosts are struggling to get their playing XI right. Seamers Harmeet Bansal and Manpreet Gony,who bowled well in the last match,have been ruled out due to injuries. Punjab have also decided to replace opener Sunny Sohal and middle-order batsman Taruwar Kohli with Chandan Madan and Gaurav Gambhir respectively. But it is in the spin department that the side has maximum headache. Leg-spinner Rahul Sharma,who has looked out of sorts in the last two games,will make way for yet another leggie,Sarabjit Ladda.

Punjab coach Bhupinder Singh senior said,”The match will be significant for both teams. I think both the teams will be keen on taking a first-innings lead as this is a batting pitch and an outright result may not be possible.” TN coach WV Raman hoped his side will pull the early punches. “Karthik has been cleared to play and with Vijay also joining the team,our batting is our strength. One problem for the players though is the cold weather here and they need to adjust accordingly,” he said.