India’s tour of England isn’t going as planned for the visitors. Two huge defeats accompanied by a string of injuries to their top players have left critics and fans questioning about their top ranking in Test cricket. Dhoni’s boys get off the grill and grind of Test cricket as they take on Northants in a two day practice match. When the schedule was drawn, the management would have looked at this match as an opportunity to field the reserves while giving the big guns some time off.

India look to turn fortunes around

But suddenly this practice game has acquired more significance! Virender Sehwag joined the squad in Northampton after a nursing a shoulder injury as he looks to unleash his fury and change the fortunes of a sorry looking team. Gautam Gambhir, who also took a blow on his elbow at Lords and missed the game at Trent Bridge, returns as he tests the fitness of his elbow.

The biggest blow to India on this tour so far was the hamstring injury suffered by Zaheer Khan. The pace spearhead bowled only 13 overs before limping off with a pulled hamstring in the first test thus leaving India short of a bowler. His absence was also felt in the second test as Ian Bell and the rest of the middle order feasted on some lacklustre Indian bowling. Zaheer has been moving around gingerly during India’s practice sessions and he bowled a dozen odd balls with a shortened run-up thus giving window to more speculation about his fitness. Praveen Kumar and Ishant has been sharing the bowling workload since their tour of West Indies and are expected to be rested for the practice game, the format of which is yet to be decided.

Suresh Raina, whose technique against the short ball is under scrutiny once again, will look to get some runs under his belt while Dhoni is under immense pressure after questions being raised about his captaincy, batting and keeping skills. Harbhajan and Yuvraj have been ruled out of the series and Amit Mishra would be competing with Pragyan Ojha for a place at Edgbaston.

The practice games are meant to be friendly encounters and although this one doesn’t promise anything more than that, be assured that Dhoni and Co. would be looking to stamp their authority on the county side before taking on England at Edgbaston next week.

Tags: 3rd Test, Edgbaston, England, India, Test Cricket, Test Match, Virender Sehwag