Who to drop and accomodate Harbhajan? That’s the tricky question skipper Kumble facesPERTH: India are blessed with a pleasant selection dilemma ahead of their attempt to square the series with Australia after their 72-run win in the third Test at the WACA on Saturday.
The visitors had dropped spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was banned for three matches after the contentious Sydney Test, to add a third seamer in the form of Irfan Pathan. The move was a resounding success, with Pathan producing a man-of-the-match performance in claiming five wickets and making 46 and 28 runs with the bat.
However, the Indians will be keen to slot Harbhajan, who remains free to play pending his appeal, back into the side for the fourth Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting Thursday, as they seek to level the series.
Spin is expected to play a significant part in the match and Harbhajan is almost certain to return to partner captain Anil Kumble.
Either one of the seamers will need to go, and Pathan, Ishant Sharma and RP Singh all bowled exceptionally in Perth, or a specialist batsman will have to make way.
Opener Wasim Jaffer has been struggling and made just 16 and 11 here, but his opening partnerships of 57 and 45 with Virender Sehwag were important in blunting Australia’s pace attack.
Dropping Jaffer would also likely force Rahul Dravid to return to the top of the order, where he admitted he didn’t enjoy playing after his crucial first innings 93 in Perth back at number three.
Pathan has opened the batting for India previously, but asking him to open the batting and bowling would be a huge task. It’s likely that Jaffer would eb dropped to accommodate Harbhajan.
Hayden, Hogg back for 4th Test:
Opener Matthew Hayden has been recalled to Australian squad for next week’s fourth and final Test against India after recovering from injury.
Hayden replaces Chris Rogers, who made his Test debut as his replacement at Perth. Spinner Brad Hogg too is expected to return, at the expense of Shaun Tait.
