Edgbaston: With Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh out of the Test series, the dilemma over a apt bowling combination will be giving Indian skipper MS Dhoni sleepless nights ahead of the third Test at the spinner-friendly Edgbaston ground. The pitch at Edgbaston is likely to help the spinners and will also offer reverse swing to the pacers.
Dhoni did not rule out playing a four-pronged pace attack in the third Test. "We have seen that the wickets have not assisted the spinners so far. There is not much for the slow bowlers. There is a possibility of playing four pacers although over rate is something we have to look into. But when you go into a match, you don't think about over rate and select the best 11.
Dhoni did not rule out playing a four-pronged pace attack in the third Test. "We have seen that the wickets have not assisted the spinners so far. There is not much for the slow bowlers. There is a possibility of playing four pacers although over rate is something we have to look into. But when you go into a match, you don't think about over rate and select the best 11.
"The wicket looks good and there is a cover of grass. It will help the seamers more. But we will have a look at the pitch before the match and then decide on the combination."Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth are expected to be the frontline bowlers.
While Zaheer has been replaced by RP Singh who had great time during India’s last tour to England, Pragyan Ojha was picked by selectors as a replacement of Harbhajan. But will the two make it to the playing XI for the Edgbaston Test?
According to former Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram RP Singh is one bowler who can trouble the English batsmen and he should be picked over Sreesanth.
"I am happy to see RP Singh's return to the Indian team. He is a good replacement for Zaheer and is one bowler who can really trouble the English batsmen. His upright, seam-up action helps the ball slant easily and India will be tempted to play him ahead of Sreesanth," Akram wrote in his column for a leading sports website. Read: Mukund or Raina in 3rd Test?
"Ishant and Praveen will complete the pace troika but this duo must not lose heart when a partnership is building. Having said this, I would have loved to see Laxmipathy Balaji in England. He swings the ball well and can work up a decent pace too."
Singh claimed 12 wickets in the three-Test series that India won in England in 2007. However, the left-arm seamer has been out of the Test squad for the last two years. And getting all his moves right in different English conditions may not be easy for him.
The conventional swing at Edgbaston has reduced significantly after the construction of a new eye-catching four-storey 32 million pound pavilion since England last played here 12 months ago.
India’s spin attack, on the other hand looks depleted. Amit Mishra, who didn’t feature in the first two Tests, was ineffective during the tour game against Northamptonshire. His performance at the international arena has been so far disappointing. The leg-spinner has picked up 42 wickets at an average of over 40 per wicket.
And with England having developed their skills against spin considerably in the past few years, how much of an impact Ojha will have is doubtful.
According to former Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram RP Singh is one bowler who can trouble the English batsmen and he should be picked over Sreesanth.
"I am happy to see RP Singh's return to the Indian team. He is a good replacement for Zaheer and is one bowler who can really trouble the English batsmen. His upright, seam-up action helps the ball slant easily and India will be tempted to play him ahead of Sreesanth," Akram wrote in his column for a leading sports website. Read: Mukund or Raina in 3rd Test?
"Ishant and Praveen will complete the pace troika but this duo must not lose heart when a partnership is building. Having said this, I would have loved to see Laxmipathy Balaji in England. He swings the ball well and can work up a decent pace too."
Singh claimed 12 wickets in the three-Test series that India won in England in 2007. However, the left-arm seamer has been out of the Test squad for the last two years. And getting all his moves right in different English conditions may not be easy for him.
The conventional swing at Edgbaston has reduced significantly after the construction of a new eye-catching four-storey 32 million pound pavilion since England last played here 12 months ago.
India’s spin attack, on the other hand looks depleted. Amit Mishra, who didn’t feature in the first two Tests, was ineffective during the tour game against Northamptonshire. His performance at the international arena has been so far disappointing. The leg-spinner has picked up 42 wickets at an average of over 40 per wicket.
And with England having developed their skills against spin considerably in the past few years, how much of an impact Ojha will have is doubtful.
"Ishant and Praveen will complete the pace troika but this duo must not lose heart when a partnership is building. Having said this, I would have loved to see Laxmipathy Balaji in England. He swings the ball well and can work up a decent pace too."
Singh claimed 12 wickets in the three-Test series that India won in England in 2007. However, the left-arm seamer has been out of the Test squad for the last two years. And getting all his moves right in different English conditions may not be easy for him.
The conventional swing at Edgbaston has reduced significantly after the construction of a new eye-catching four-storey 32 million pound pavilion since England last played here 12 months ago.
India’s spin attack, on the other hand looks depleted. Amit Mishra, who didn’t feature in the first two Tests, was ineffective during the tour game against Northamptonshire. His performance at the international arena has been so far disappointing. The leg-spinner has picked up 42 wickets at an average of over 40 per wicket.
And with England having developed their skills against spin considerably in the past few years, how much of an impact Ojha will have is doubtful.
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