The man in the eye of the storm with his one finger salute at the SCG is also the one likely to get axed. Virat Kohli who has scored only 43 runs in the 4 innings he has batted till now looks like the one most likely to be dropped. Kohli unlike Laxman and Dhoni, hasn’t been all at sea and had got himself settled in on two occasions before gifting away his wicket and that is a worry. I personally would like to see Kohli in the team because he is not only a very talented batsman who has proven himself well in the limited overs format but also because of the energy he brings to the field. As a batsmen, he has a few technical flaws but he can always iron them away and one more opportunity would certainly help the youngster. However having failed in two matches, chances of that look slim, especially with an in-form Rohit Sharma knocking at the door.
Rohit Sharma is another bright future prospect and has done well in the domestic circuit and also for India in the limited format in recent times. He has waited long and hard for an opportunity and looks to be in great touch from the tour match. However I’m not sure if putting him up now is the right decision. Having said that, it still would be interesting to see how Rohit goes about his business in the whites. If I were Dhoni I would give Kohli one final chance and play Rohit at Adelaide if Kohli fails again, but I think Kohli’s time has run out and we would be seeing Rohit Sharma instead at Perth.
Another out of form batsman is VVS Laxman and there are plenty of calls for his head. I however find all this amusing and despite Laxman’s obvious lack of confidence and form I would stick with him for the sole reason that he is a proven champion. Has the press and the public forgotten all his exploits against Australia? India desperately needs VVS’ experience out there and more so for him to come good. Will he be replaced? Highly unlikely unless he gets injured.
India in the second test at the SCG managed to pick up only 4 wickets and you require 20 to win a match. So the bowling unit is to be looked into and I’m sure India would retain the same three seamers for the Perth test. I would however like Ashwin who has been shining with the bat rather than the ball in place for Ojha. Ohja is a terrific spinner and one of India’s best and I’m surprised how Ashwin finds a place ahead of him. I hope that would change starting with the Perth test. Is India missing Harbhajan? I believe so.
If left to me, I would just switch Ojha for Ashwin and keep the rest of the team. However that is unlikely and I’m sure Kohli would be making way for Rohit while Ojha might be looked into for Ashwin. The rest of the team would remain the same and hopefully these changes can bring about the changes in the results that India so desperately now seek.
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