Time to Talk Cricket, and the opening combination

Now that the Indians have the opposition on the mat when it comes to cricketing morality, it is high time to keep them down on cricketing field as well.

The tie for Canberra holds utmost importance to decide on the opening combination, and the bowling combination. Middle order – with Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid (primarly number three to six bat) and VVS Laxman remains intact.

Trying out Sehwag-Karthik Combo, and if it is successful, will help India push Dravid back into the middle order for the Perth Test (With Laxman likely to remain the batsman at one-down).

As of now, Yuvraj and Jaffer look out of the 3rd test and Dhoni may just have saved his place with some gritty resistance in the final session. But he could still find himself out if India opt for Karthik as opener with Sehwag, and a five-bowler attack.

Ideally, India need to play five bowlers – three pacers and two spinners – because one can win only by bowling out Australia. One can’t just restrict them and hope that wickets will fall. Only by taking wickets, that one subdues them.

The pacers on trial, if they all are played at Canberra, will be Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan and VRV Singh. Two of these three are likely to be part of the three-pronged attack led by RP Singh, who along with one of the two key spinners needs to be rested for the Canberra tie.

India also needs to make good use of Ganguly as pacer at Canberra. Did not he chip in with critical wickets against Pakistan, and had Ponting 'nicking' at Sydney? One often feels that he does not get as much bowling as his talent deserves.

Now, if Sehwag-Karthik Combination is selected, and performs well at Canberra, the Blog’s team for Perth will be.

Virender Sehwag
Dinesh Karthik (Keeper)
VVS Laxman
Sachin Tendulkar
Sourav Ganguly
Rahul Dravid
Anil Kumble
Harbhajan Singh
RP Singh
Irfan Pathan
VRV or Ishant