Injury woes setting back India’s high aspirations

India is looking for another series triumph as the team heads towards the Compaq cup played in Sri Lanka. Well, India hasn’t played a tri-series since its array of consecutive series’ wins. But, that doesn’t really matters. Considering the caliber of the opponents India met in the recent past, it should really be termed as the world # 1 as of now. And after all, four of the five wins came away, twice in Lanka, once each in Kiwiland and Windies. Also, India found itself creating histories in Lanka and Kiwiland, and quite an achievement in Windies.

But on the contrary, that is past. The form is high, but still, India always has been a victim of complacency. This fact could also be omitted, but the match-winners’ absence, just can’t be. Yes, that is the true and most troublesome fact for India right now. Two of the main players, Viru and Zaheer, were already out of the tournament, following injuries. Virender Sehwag was a shining star, and his absence could really hit India hard. Considering the facts, since India’s win-fest started, Viru played the least number of innings in the list of top 5 players scoring most runs for India, i.e 14 and scored 782 runs @ 60.15, with the luxurious advantage being his strike rate, 127.77! Same goes for Zaheer. He took 24 wickets, the most for any Indian, at 26.33, with the excellent economy of 4.5. The luxurious advantage here was the number of maidens he bowled, 18! The next on the maidens’ list were Pravin Kumar and Munaf Patel for 5 maidens each!

The stats clearly imply how much these two maestros would be missed. But again that had to be taken care of, and hence, people weren’t so troubled about the stuff, until today. That is because, another injury woo hit India. The in-form batsman Gautam Gambhir was sent back home after a groin injury. He was quite consistent over the last year and scored 643 runs @ 35.72 in same period as Viru did. Well Gambhir’s average tells some different story, but it was the consistency that was his weapon and helped solidify India’s top order. Also, troubling India is the pace attack of its. Zaheer’s presence was an absolute beauty, but injuries imply compromise is the way to go! Ishant, RP and Nehra are relatively new. Nehra brings in the experience, but still, is not enough. If the pace trio does the trick, rest must go well.

The return of SRT and Rahul Dravid has given ample hopes to the Indian team and fans, and hope it comes in an affirmative way! Moreover, both of the senors presence will surely help India in some or the other way

India plays their first game against New Zealand tomorrow at the Premadasa. New Zealand have a must win situation, if they loose, they’re knocked out.

MSD will be in a fix to choose the side and conditions will be a big factor in choosing the players. Virat Kohli just flown to Lanka on immediate bases and won’t get the game. And as MSD confirmed, Karthik will open tomorrow and he ruled the possibility of Kohli as a potential opener.  

The possible line-up: Dinesh Karthik Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma.