Selectors to meet in Kolkata on Friday for the Windies series
After missing out on the one-day series, Harbhajan Singh should be back in contention as discussion surrounding the ace off-spinner's inclusion for the first Test against West Indies in New Delhi would be the hot topic when the selectors meet in Kolkata on Friday.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: October 27, 2011 08:43 PM IST
After missing out on the one-day series, Harbhajan Singh should be back in contention as discussion surrounding the ace off-spinner's inclusion for the first Test against West Indies in New Delhi would be the hot topic when the selectors meet in Kolkata on Friday.
Young Bangalore off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, having claimed 10 wickets in the 5-0 whitewash over England in ODI series, has made a bold statement alongside leg-spinner Amit Mishra and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.
The leading India off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh after a poor outing in England had a decent show in the recently concluded Challengers bagging five wickets from three matches and seven from six outings in the Champions League T20.
It is no secret that the leading India spinner has the backing of skipper Dhoni and the senior players which is sure to weigh upon the selectors as it remains to be seen whether they go for a three or four-member spin attack.
Sachin Tendulkar was advised four weeks rest after a toe injury ahead of the ODI series in England and the selectors will hope that he is fit along with another senior Virender Sehwag.
Sehwag has played a few matches for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament after undergoing a shoulder surgery and it remains to be seen whether the selectors find him fit enough for inclusion in the team.
In-form Virat Kohli after a superb one-day series will be a strong contender to return to the Indian Test squad.
Ishant Sharma who had sustained a ligament injury in his left ankle during the Birmingham Test, played domestic T20 matches for Delhi and should be back in contention if he had procured a fitness certificate from NCA.
If Ishant is fit, he would lead the attack alongside Praveen Kumar as Sreesanth, R Vinay Kumar and Varun Aaron would fight it out for the other slots.
The Test squad would be picked for the first match against the West Indies at Feroze Shah Kotla from November 6.