|
KOLKATA, India Mar 14 (Reuters): India look set to recall off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to counter a rejuvenated Pakistan in the second test starting Wednesday.
Harbhajan could return at his favourite Eden Gardens, where he captured 15 wickets to bowl India to a famous victory over Australia in 2001.
Harbhajan was left out of the team for last week's first test in Mohali, in which Pakistan staged a superb rearguard action to force a draw.
Regarded as strong favourites to win the series, India are now under pressure against their traditional rivals.
Young Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal stroked his maiden test century to rescue his side and the draw will have lifted the touring side following their recent 3-0 drubbing in Australia.
Pakistan, playing their first test series in India for six years, have fond memories of Calcutta, the venue for their Asian test championship victory in 1999.
That test, however, was marred by violent crowd behaviour as India slid to defeat, Pakistan wrapping up the game after the stands had been cleared of rioting spectators by the police.
Security is expected to be extra tight, particularly since Calcutta was chosen after Pakistan refused Ahmedabad as a test venue due to security concerns.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq faces a dilemma over his deputy Younis Khan, who failed twice in Mohali at number three with scores of one and nine.
Pakistan's top order struggled generally, with left-handed opener Salman Butt falling cheaply to left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan in both innings.
The aggressive Shahid Afridi, who hit 141 in the first test in Madras in 1999, and Yasir Hameed could replace him.
Indian captain Saurav Ganguly must choose between Pathan and fellow left-arm Zaheer Khan to share the new ball with Lakshmipathy Balaji, India's most successful seamer in Mohali with match figures of nine for 171 on his comeback from a pelvic injury.
The 100,000 fans expected to pack into Eden Gardens will also be hoping that Sachin Tendulkar can complete a record 35th test century after missing out by just six runs in Mohali.
|