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14-Oct-2009 05:48:00 GMT
Australia in India, 2009

Dravid, Yusuf Face Axe From Australia Series

New Delhi: With the Indian one-day team for the series against Australia to be named in a couple of days, the five wise men have their hands full. Injuries to key players have healed so a more balanced team can take on Ricky Ponting's all conquering outfit. But there are headaches.

The selectors will possibly spend a fair bit of time on deciding what to do with Rahul Dravid. On his sudden recall to one-day cricket Dravid hasn't done too badly, making runs in both Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy.

But if the top three on the team sheet are Sachin Tendulkar, the now fit Virender Sehwag and the dependable Gautam Gambhir, does Dravid really command a place? Will his tendency to be involved in run outs count against him? And with Murali Vijay making an impressive hundred in the Challenger Series, has he made the case for a chance to bat in the top order?

Reports indicate that Yuvraj Singh too will be available, if not at the start then at some point in the series, which gives the top order an imposing feel to it.

A question mark also hangs over Yusuf Pathan's place; he failed in the Challenger too, making just 49 runs in three innings. Abhishek Nayar doesn't seem to enjoy the confidence of Dhoni either as a batsman or a bowler. Those two will be lucky to make the cut.

The debate over fast bowling spots is also expected to be heated. Although Ishant Sharma took six wickets in the Challenger, his place remains under scrutiny. Munaf Patel with eight wickets and Sudeep Tyagi with five did catch the eye. Both are sure to feature in the discussions. RP Singh is now almost certain to be axed after a poor run in recent times.

Harbhajan Singh showed in the Challenger that despite a poor return in the Champions Trophy, he is always a force to reckon with at home, and Amit Mishra is now established as India's second spinner in one-day cricket.


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