Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Lights, camera, options

Going into Friday's first Test against Bangladesh, Rahul Dravid must feel like an airline official dealing with an overbooked flight. Everyone has a ticket, but there are only so many people you can accommodate.

There are eight batsmen in the squad, including big names like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. All can't play the match. Especially after Dravid said on Thursday that the team's brain cell would consider the option of playing five bowlers. Deciding who to leave out, therefore, could be harder for Dravid than leading the team to victory against an opponent that has triumphed in just one of the 44 Tests it has played.

“It's tough but it will have to be done," Dravid said after the team's net practice on Thursday morning. “Considering the weather, the wicket and what we're trying to achieve, we have the option of playing five bowlers.

Read More