Team for Perth should have Sehwag, Karthik, Pathan

In the light of the performances in this test so far, unless Yuvraj or Dhoni come up with a big match saving knock today, this blog’s team will have two openers in Sehwag and Karthik, and five bowlers including Irfan Pathan, (unless Harbhajan is suspended).

Having performed much below par so far, it won’t be a bad idea to have Jaffer, Yuvraj and Dhoni pave the way for these three. Of course, things could change a little during the tour match against ACT Invitational XI in between. Though this will be a little harsh on Dhoni the keeper, but as batsman even he knows he has not done justice to his talent in this series.

With both the skipper and Harbhajan bowling so well, even on a bouncy track of Perth it will make sense to have both of them in the team along with three pacers. India needs to get Australia out twice to bounce back in the series.

In all the four innings so far, the least they have allowed Australia is 343 at Melbourne. That is simply not good enough. The final eleven below will also take Dravid out of the opening position, which, in any case, is only a temporary series specific arrangement.

V Sehwag (Opener)
D Karthik (Opener and Keeper)
V Laxman
S Tendulkar
S Ganguly
R Dravid
Irfan Pathan
Harbhajan Singh (Dhoni or Yuvraj if Harbhajan gets match penalty)
Anil Kumble
RP Singh
Ishant Sharma (Unless VRV does extremely well in the practive match)