Toss-up for pace slots

On his return after picking up an injury during the first game of the ODI series in Sri Lanka...

On his return after picking up an injury during the first game of the ODI series in Sri Lanka,Munaf Patel was in a pensive mood. After a forgettable 2008,in which he played just 10 one-dayers,2009 had also started on a wrong note. I have stopped thinking about the future and I dont look beyond a day, he had said as he headed for the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for another rehabilitation stint.

After the high of the IPL,in which he helped Rajasthan Royals win the title,he had all the leading Indian batsmen on a hop but with the presence of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma and the teams strategy to play just two pacers on the slow tracks Munaf was mostly on the sidelines when India toured Sri Lanka in August last year. The trend continued in two home series against Australia and England,and Munaf had his sights set on the tour of New Zealand as a perfect opportunity to get back into the side. He felt the bouncy tracks and seaming conditions Down Under almost assured him of a chance to get into the playing XI until the injury threw a spanner in the works.

But now,a day before the Test team is to be picked,there are reports that Munaf is fit and his dreams of finally getting a Test place are alive. In an ideal scenario,Zaheer,Ishant and Sreesanth would be a perfect trio for a trip to New Zealand but the question mark over the Kerala bowler gives Munaf the edge,and possibly the opportunity he has waited so long for. As for the other two spots that the pacers are expected to get,the debate will figure names like RP Singh,Sreesanth,L Balaji and Irfan Pathan.

As things stand,Pathan is the front-runner considering his all-rounder status,while form and fitness will decide who among RP,Sreesanth and Balaji makes it to New Zealand. No major change is expected in the spin department as Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra are expected to retain their places in the Test side.

The batting department,too,wont be tampered with much as all the regulars Gautam Gambhir,Virender Sehwag,Rahul Dravid,Sachin Tendulkar,VVS Laxman,Yuvraj Singh are almost unshakeable. A possibility of a third opener looks likely with two wicket-keepers expected to be in the squad of 16. The second gloveman Dinesh Karthik or Parthiv Patel is expected to double-up as the back-up opener.

Five pacers,two spinners,two wicket-keepers and the six regular batsmen leaves just one place to be filled in the squad of 16. And it is here that one might see a surprise. Though S Badrinath,by virtue of being in the squad for the England Test series,is an obvious choice,several domestic batting stars fancy their chances as well.

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