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Journalism of Courage
Two days before the first Test begins, it8217;s becoming increasingly likely that the Kiwis will get tit-for-tat treatment for the way they trounced 8212; or bounced 8212; India back home before the World Cup.
Though no one admits it, there are several indications that the Rajkot wicket, a bouncy green top, was just a red herring and the first Test at the Motera ground here will be an altogether different ball game 8212; and that all three spinners will play.
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English umpire David Shephard gets a feel of things to come. Express photo by Harsh Shah
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Besides the fact that the wicket wears a brown look and appears totally dry, India coach John Wright did not rule out all three spinners in the squad 8212; Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble and Sairaj Bahutule 8212; playing in the Test.
When asked specifically about the chances of all three playing, Wright said, 8216;8216;We will assess the situation and ground conditions tomorrow and then decide about it.8217;8217;
Wright did, however, say that the 8216;two-seamers, two spinners8217; combination had worked very well for India in the past and that the part-timers could fill in for the fifth bowler.
8216;8216;Sachin, Sehwag and Ganguly can all bowl,8217;8217; he said. 8216;8216;Sachin can be a match-winner with the ball 8212; he played a big role in India8217;s victory over Australia in Kolkata 8212; while Sehwag is perfectly capable of bowling 10 or 12 overs and Ganguly is fitter than ever.8217;8217;
Looking at the wicket, some experts said it was unlikely to last five days, that 8216;8216;it would break on the third day8217;8217;, and that if India wanted to win the Test they have no option but to play all the three spinners. 8216;8216;If India play only two seamers and two spinners, they will have to play an extra batsman. A batsman cannot win you a Test match, but a bowler can. If India wants to win the Test they have to play all three spinners. Though Kumble and Bahutule are both leg-spinners, the variety is different.8217;8217;
About the new faces in the Indian team, Wright said he was happy as both were is good form. 8216;8216;Akash Chopra is very consistent, he scored in both the tour games, and Balaji is also among the wickets, he had a good Irani Trophy match.8217;8217;
The Indian coach was not unduly worried about the 8216;special8217; preparations that the Kiwis had made 8212; Fleming had said they have a gameplan for every Indian player 8212; saying India had its own plans.
8216;8216;They have their plans, we have ours. Planning is nothing new, only technology and equipment have made it easier. Planning has always been there, even during the time that I played. The trick is to execute them. We have done our homework well.8217;8217;
Wright said the long break after the World Cup had done the players a world of good. 8216;8216;They are all fresh, physically very fit, and keen to have a go.8217;8217;
