| Selecting an extra bowler for the Mohali test is a good idea, but only if that bowler is really good and has the ability to make the difference. However at the moment bowling seems to be India’s biggest problem with spinners not delivering and the pacers not experienced enough to make an impact. On top of this, there are no real contenders for the job knocking on the selectors’ door on the basis of form. It is too much to expect talent alone to win matches.
Going into a crucial test match with one batsman less will only create problems for India, particularly if England win the toss and bat first. Any team batting first against the current Indian bowling attack will make a big score and subsequently put the Indian batsmen under pressure.
In my opinion the only replacement that needs to be made is Munaf Patel for the highly over-rated Harbhajan Singh. Yuvraj was in good form in Pakistan but he has not played for a few weeks and India really cannot afford to take any chances. Against this confident England team, Laxman should be given preference, simply because of his experience.  |