Team India: Slots up for grabs

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">NEW DELHI:</span> With Team India reaching the finals of the World Cup earlier this year, one would have expected a settled look to the team but that is not the case. Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that "slots are up for grabs" and "no one can take his place for granted".<br /><br />The two-Test series against New Zealand on home soil is being touted as a grudge tour.And Ganguly is desperate to make amends for the thrashing that his team got in the Test in New Zealand just before the World Cup.<br /><br />India''s problem with Test openers continues. And with Virender Sehwag showing reluctance to open in Tests, the field is wide open. <br /><br />Sehwag has had some success as opener mainly because his aggressive style caught the opposition bowlers by surprise. There is only one way that Sehwag knows to bat and that is to go hammer-and-tongs after the bowlers. <br /><br />But Sehwag''s desire to bat lower down in Tests raises a problem. Where will he fit in? The middle order is already clogged and even if Sehwag is made to open, it is doubtful if he can come good in Australia with the ball moving appreciably and taking bounce. <br /><br />The idea is to look for a solid opening pair who can take on New Zealand in the home series and then come good in the Test series in Australia.<br /><br />Sanjay Bangar is not your typically gifted opener but India has tried him in the past with moderate success. His brief was simple - see off the new ball somehow and make it easier for top guns like Dravid, Sachin and Sourav. <br /><br />Seen in this light Bangar can be an asset in the series in Australia where traditionally the Indian top order has been sent packing by the new ball. Bangar can roll his arm and is a useful medium pacer, a fact that can work for him.<br /> <br />The redoubtable S S Das is another option for the home series against New Zealand. The technically-sound Das has had a few opportunities but has not been able to score big.<br /><br />Wasim Jaffer perhaps is India''s best bet for the series against New Zealand. With a good performance for India A in England, it is time Jaffer got another shot at the opener''s slot.<br /><br />Which brings us to Sadagopan Ramesh. If statistics decided team selection, Ramesh would get in with room to spare. He averages 37 in Tests and had played some big innings for India in home series.<br /><br />The Indian middle order on the other hand has a problem of surfeit! Slots No 3, 4 and 5 are already booked for Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. <br /><br />The No 6 slot has a quite a few contenders - VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag (if he decides to come lower down), Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Ambati Rayudu. Laxman seems to be the strongest contender though it is time Mohammad Kaif is given a chance to prove himself in the Test arena.<br /><br />On the wicket-keeping front, young Parthiv Patel seems to have got the nod for the Tests at least by skipper Sourav Ganguly. But the names of Ajay Ratra and Vijay Dahiya are also being circulated. In all likelihood Patel, given his recent confidence while batting, should get the nod.</div> </div>