The 15-member Indian squad, led by Rahul Dravid, left Mumbai for London en route to Ireland on two and a half month tour of the United Kingdom. The team is to play a total of 12 ODIs and three tests, against four teams viz., Ireland, England, Pakistan, South Africa, with the first of the four ODIs in Ireland to be played against the hosts on June 23. The rest of the three games would be played against South Africa.
The team would then leave for Scotland for a one off charity match against archrivals Pakistan on July 3 at Glasgow, the proceeds of which are to go to the Prince Charles Charitable Trust. The players would then embark on a tour to England to take on the hosts in a three-Test series, which would be followed by seven one-dayers.
The tour will be a real test for Rahul Dravid’s men especially after the world cup debacle. Moreover, the team is without out of form, but striking batsman Virendra Sehwag and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
India last toured England in 2002 under the captainship of Sourav Ganguly, when they drew the Test series 1-1 and won the ODI series. If we clearly remember, that success was built on some excellent performances by the three mainstay batsmen of India - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Ganguly. Remembering their previous show overseas Indian skipper Rahul Dravid in the pre-tour press conference stressed that the key to outplay any team on the tour lies with the batting line-up.
Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik would be the new Indian opening pair in tests, which adds to the responsibility of the experienced trio in the middle-order. But, the bowling line-up is of great concern for the side with most of inexperienced newcomers in the side to share the burden with Zaheer Khan, who would have to better all his performances to see any chance for India. The spin attack sans Harbhajan Singh comprises of the great Anil Kumble and youngster Piyush Chawla.
But the captain is sure that under the experience and guidance of Ventakesh Prasad, the bowling coach, we can expect a better performance from the bowlers.
Even after such a big drama involving the selection of a coach for the side, the Board has not been able to find one. The team will be traveling without a coach, but the BCCI chose to appoint Chandu Borde, as the cricket manager for this tour for his knowledge and experience. The team is accompanied by bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh, apart from five other support staff, completing the 23-member touring squad.
The first ODI begins on June 23 against Ireland.
Via: Cricinfo
