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India tour Pakistan
- Samsung Cup 2004 |
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Nehra may edge out Balaji
LAHORE: Ashish Nehra went flat out during
Saturday’s nets, ahead of the second Test beginning on Monday, and
it appears he is firmly in contention for one of the three quicks’
berths. The fourth bowling slot is going to go to star leggie Anil
Kumble, who has rejoined the touring party after becoming a father.
While Irfan Pathan is a certainty and Ajit Agarkar almost sure to
make it as Zaheer Khan’s replacement, Nehra’s inclusion will then
have to be at Lakshmipathy Balaji’s expense. The wicket, as of now,
has much grass.
“Basically, it’s going to be (stand-in captain) Rahul Dravid’s call
— he will have to choose between Nehra and Balaji, who didn’t do a
bad job in Multan,” a well-placed source said.
India, of course, are 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Nehra, who arrived on Friday evening (as a ‘cover’ for Zaheer),
pointed out he had been training back home in New Delhi and that the
injury in the Rawalpindi ODI — splitting the webbing of his left
hand — was something that could happen any time.
That injury, though, ensured Nehra headed home much earlier than
expected. Yet, developments on the Zaheer front worked in his favour.
So, less than a fortnight after clearing immigration at the Allama
Iqbal International Airport, Nehra was back before immigration —
this time in the arrival area.
“It’s exciting joining a team which has created history...
Hopefully, I’ll have a part in the two Tests that remain,” he
remarked, clarifying that his inability to field — not bowl — is
what ruled him out of the original Test squad when the selection was
made on March 22.
Meanwhile, four of the five national selectors —chairman Syed
Kirmani, Pranab Roy, Kiran More and Sanjay Jagdale — have arrived to
watch the Gaddafi Test. As was first reported in these columns,
their (precedent-setting) trip is sponsored by the Board.
The fifth selector, MP Kirti Azad, isn’t coming as he is busy with
the forthcoming general elections.
It’s learnt that four former captains — Chandu Borde, Gundappa
Viswanath, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar — are arriving on Monday.
Incidentally, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Ajit Wadekar are going to
be seen in Rawalpindi.
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