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| India to play Laxman for first Test | | |
HOVE (BRIGHTON), JULY 8
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid virtually gave a thumbs up to the experienced VVS Laxman to be in the playing eleven for the first Test match against England.
"I back Laxman to have a big tour this time. The last time he didn't have as great a tour as the other guys. I can see that he's determined to correct it this time. He looks hungry," Dravid said.
The Indian captain also stressed that, unlike in Bangladesh where he could afford to play five bowlers, India will be going in with just four bowlers against England.
Laxman who has been a seasoned campaigner for India, and has starred in some of its memorable wins in recent years, was left out of the playing eleven in the two Tests against Bangladesh in May.
As if to justify his captain's line of thinking, Laxman scored a sparkling 95 in the tour opener against Sussex.
The first Test is to be played at Lord's from July 19 to 23.
Dravid made it clear that while it was a difficult choice to make, he is very sure of the team he would like for the first Test of the three-match series.
"I know my best top order. I'm pretty clear about the top six going into the first Test match. In the next game (against England 'A') we will be playing our top six batsmen."
With Mahendra Singh Dhoni certain to come in at number seven, India will be playing just four bowlers and using Sourav Ganguly as the fifth bowler.
"We will probably go in with four bowlers. Depending upon the weather and the pitch we will have to decide whether it's two spinners and two fast bowlers, or three pacers and a spinner," he explained.
Dravid also took pains to stress why he doesn't have the luxury of playing five bowlers.
"We have struggled to find an all-rounder, so it's always a tricky balance."
Dravid banked on his young turks, Mahendra Dhoni and Dinesh Kaarthick, to do well on their first trip to England.
"Dhoni is coming here for the first time and the people here will be seeing him for the first time.
"Dinesh Kaarthick too has been very impressive in his short career. Had a lot of success in South Africa. We will be expecting both of them to deliver the goods."
India's likely playing eleven for the 1st Test: Rahul Dravid (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Kaarthick, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble, S Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan and RP Singh.
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