Another Test. Similar result. India struggled once again to beat the WI resulting in a frustrating draw. Clearly, the current Indian bowling combination is incapable of bowling the opposition out twice in a Test match.
Pathan badly needs a longer rest. He has lost pace and appears to be struggling. VRV lacks penetration and appears to be too green to be at the Test level. Thankfully, Munaf had a good Test. That leaves only Kumble. Though one can argue that the burden is way too much on Kumble, one can’t help get the feeling that he appears to have lost his edge. He no longer seems to have the ability to run through a side. Viru certainly stepped up to the plate and put up a fine show. But it just proves how weak the Indian bowling side is. Dropping a batsman might be a luxury India can ill-afford at this stage. I suspect the the team management might bring in Powar/Bhajji for Pathan and Sreesanth for VRV in Test 3.
Another seamer or an all rounder in place of D. Karthick in the 15 might have certainly given the team management more options. Given the way the seamers have performed in this series it makes sense to play three spinners. But unfortunately India does not have a true all rounder in its ranks to accommodate this strategy. A daring gamble might be to drop a batsman (Yuvraj or Laxman) and play Pathan as an all rounder and play three spinners. The team management is certainly capable of taking this drastic step under more favorable circumstances. Having lost the last Test to England because of a batting failure (and the same in Pak), I suspect it would take some serious “guts” on the part of the Team management. In any case, India certainly holds the psychological advantage at this stage of the series for whatever it is worth, no matter what Lara says!
Pakora Korner 