The Hindu : Sport : Bullring is set for showdown

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 15, 2006
ePaper

Sport

Sport

Bullring is set for showdown

S. Dinakar

S. Africa starts favourite; India unconcerned about underdog tag

— Photo: AFP

TIME TO GET GOING: India will be banking on the experience of its batting line-up, led by Sachin Tendulkar, to deliver the goods in the Test series.

Johannesburg: The Bullring is set for the showdown. South Africa starts as favourite. India is not too concerned about the underdog tag.

"I look around in the dressing room and I see quality players. It would be a dangerous thing to write us off," warned Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, here, on Thursday. He is also quick to remind the doubters that India triumphed in its last Test series in the West Indies. The defeats in the one-dayers followed and people forgot. Dravid hasn't.

Motivation

Amidst talks of a 3-0 sweep by South Africa, Dravid said, "We have never won a Test in South Africa. This, in itself, will be a motivation for the boys."

The first Test, beginning at the Wanderers on Friday, could set the tone for the days ahead. Comebacks are hard in a three-Test series.

Dravid's right middle finger is now "operational" as the skipper revealed. He will play the first Test, although he would not stand in the slips. For India, much hinges on Dravid, the key man at the No. 3 slot. He may be without match practice but the captain dwelt on entering the "zone" mentally.

Specialist openers

The Indians have left out Irfan Pathan, Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik and the injured Munaf Patel from the 12 for the Test. The side will have a specialist opening pair in Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer. And Harbhajan Singh is still in the hunt for a place.

The surface for the Test seems hard and dry. It also sports cracks, which could widen if the weather continues to be bright and sunny. While the pacemen will be a distinct threat, Anil Kumble could be a formidable adversary in such a scenario.

Bowling attack

But will the leg-spinning ace have his spin partner, Harbhajan Singh, for the Test?

Zaheer Khan's experience and form, S. Sreesanth's outswing, and V.R.V. Singh's speed and lift, should clinch them places in the eleven. The team-management seems keen on the three pacemen-one spinner formula for the first Test.

If it has a change of mind about Harbhajan on the morning of the game, then Dravid will rely on Sourav Ganguly's medium pace.

Predictably, the captain stressed on the value of starts. He would also need some luck, finally, with the toss. Ideally, the Indians will be seeking to bat first. There is this feeling that if the Indians can put sufficient runs on the board, then this South African batting could be subjected to pressure, especially in the later stages.

For building a sizable total, the Indian batsmen will have to display character. The South African attack is pretty much one dimensional but it still has firepower. Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel will strive to bowl fast and into the body of the Indian batsmen. Shaun Pollock will probe the batsmen's technique.

The Indians will also be up against the red hot Dale Steyn. The paceman rocked the visitors in the tour game at Benoni.

Experience

The Indians have experience — Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, and Ganguly. Predictably, the mind games are on. Dravid spoke about how the low expectation from the side has taken some pressure off his men. Smith and Herchelles Gibbs should surface at the top of the order. Hashin Amla could bat at No. 3 and he will be followed by the rock-solid Jacques Kallis (let's not forget his bowling ability either), Abraham de Villers and Ashwell Prince.

South Africa has lost two of its last five Tests at the Wanderers, but Smith does not want to dwell on the past. The Indians will be seeking to make history. The stage is set.

The teams (from): India: R. Dravid (captain), V. Sehwag, W. Jaffer, S. Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, S. Ganguly, M.S. Dhoni, A. Kumble, Zaheer Khan, V.R.V. Singh, S. Sreesanth & Harbhajan Singh.

South Africa: G. Smith (captain), H. Gibbs, H. Amla, J. Kallis, AB de Villiers, A. Prince, M. Boucher, S. Pollock, A. Nel, M. Ntini, D. Steyn & A. Hall.

Umpires: Mark Benson & Daryl Harper; Third umpire: Carl Hurter; Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama.

Match begins at 2 p.m. (IST).

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport