India Elect to Bat Against Northants in Warm-up Game

Northampton: Stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to bat against Northamptonshire in their practice game that is being played at the county cricket grounds on Friday.

Opener Gambhir is leading the side even though skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is part of the playing XI. He may not keep wickets for entire duration as reserve keeper Wriddhiman Saha has also been inducted into the playing XI.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Praveen Kumar have been rested for this tie.

Importantly, India is fielding all three cricketers who are expected to boost up the team's show at Edgbaston in the third Test, starting on August 10.

All eyes will be on the senior trio of Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Gambhir ahead of the third Test match in Birmingham.

Pragyan Ojha and Virat Kohli however haven't been fielded for this game. It's also an important game for leg-spinner Amit Mishra to stake his claim for inclusion in the third Test since it's a clear toss-up between him and Ojha.

The match is 100-over-a-side game with 90 scheduled to be bowled during the day.

It's also 12-players-a-side game.

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Pakistan vs New Zealand - 5th T20I Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings - 42nd Match Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians - 43rd Match Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals - 44th Match 45th Match - Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore - April 28, 10:00 GMT 46th Match - Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad - April 28, 14:00 GMT 4th T20I - Pakistan v New Zealand at Lahore New Zealand won by 4 runs 41st Match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore at Hyderabad Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 35 runs

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