The jumper looked too big; his overgrown stubble and unkempt hair, for once, complimented his bizarre return to Team India. “He’s looking good,” they all agreed, but the appreciation from the think-tank was reserved for his short, but sharp spell at the nets.For a bowler who’s always dwelled in extremes, there’s little guarantee that Munaf Patel will live up to the expectations tomorrow morning. He’s been amongst wickets in domestic games, and showed once in this period that he still possessed the fire that created the hype. Watching Munaf bowling simultaneously with Zaheer Khan today, coupled with the misty sky, one could understand importance of the duo at Ferozeshah Kotla in November mornings.Skipper Anil Kumble and Habhajan Singh form the other duo in the Indian bowling attack. They discussed the age-old tricks on a pitch that the team collectively describe as “F-L-A-T.”One department has been well taken care of; and the remaining seven will take care of the runs. The suspense for the No.6 slot, in the end, looked half-baked as the captain gave away the secret too fast, too soon. Perhaps just for the form he’s been in, Yuvraj should have been in contention till the 11th hour but Kumble preferred to term his omission from the XI unfortunate, and let VVS Laxman take guard.Laxman will have to validate his existence. And there are other who need to put wagging tongues to rest. Dinesh Kaarthick, having lost his ground in the one-dayers, will be under some pressure - deserving contenders waiting. Then there’s the Wall. His success at No. 3is pivotal to India’s success as much as to iterate the importance of being Rahul Dravid in Tests.Another man, equally important, stood rehearsing the minimal use of the bottom-hand and maximum movement of the front-foot at net number 1 for hours together. He kept talking to himself about what he needs to keep doing.Sachin Tendulkar’s last Test hundred at home came at this venue — that was No. 35, tomorrow begins his quest for 38. His recent nervousness in the 90s and a tussle with Danish Kaneria will add flavour to the match Since losing his captaincy and subsequent comeback to the team, Sourav Ganguly has been more or less at par with Tendulkar in Tests with a hundred and two fifty plus knocks in six matches, but the inherent need of a big score is now evident.
