The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : South appears formidable

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Sunday, Jan 23, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

South appears formidable

MUMBAI, JAN. 22. Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble's absence due to `extended rest' for the Deodhar Trophy one-day tournament may prove to be a blessing in disguise for Indian cricket selectors as South Zone shapes up to take on Central Zone on Sunday at the Nehru Stadium, Pune.

The two stalwarts lend solidity to any side due to their focus and consistency, but their non-appearance will give an opportunity for others to strengthen claim as probables.

South Zone, led by V.V.S. Laxman, appears a formidable side. The final XI will be determined by the state of the track.

The vagaries of limited-overs cricket will mean Central Zone, captained by Mohd. Kaif, deserve due respect. The side is short on big names, but full of low-key players with the ability to turn match-winners on their day. They include Murali Karthik, all-rounder J.P. Yadav and speedster Harvinder Singh. Sanjay Bangar won't play due to injury, his replacement being Jyoti Yadav.

The teams (from) South Zone:V.V.S. Laxman (capt.), N. Arjun Yadav, Vishnuvardhan (all Hyd), Y. Venugopal Rao (Andhra), Sridharan Sriram, Vidyuth Sivaramakrishnan, S. Badrinath, Dinesh Kaarthick (wk), R. Jesuraj (all TN), N.C. Aiyappa, Barrington Rowland (both Kar), Tinu Yohannan, Sreekumar Nair (both Kerala) and Swapnil Asnodkar (Goa).

Central Zone: Mohd. Kaif (capt.) , Suresh Raina, R.P. Singh, Pravin Gupta, Jyoti Yadav (all UP), Raza Ali, Amit Pagnis, J.P. Yadav, Murali Kartik, Harvinder Singh (Rlys.), Abbas Ali, Sanjay Pandey, Naman Ojha (MP), A. Naidu (Vidarbha) and S. Mathur (Raj). — Our Special Correspondent

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