Even as India pick their team for the Test series, England’s full strength appear grounded in Abu Dhabi for the moment as airports in Mumbai are put under high alert. The Mumbai attacks saw the England pack up straightaway. Can the airport security now assure that the England team will make it back to India?
As prime cities in the country are provided high security for their airports, England are awaiting clearance from the Reg Dickason led team ensuring security arrangements are at their optimum when England are scheduled to arrive next week. England have for the moment docked in Abu Dhabi where they will train and try and keep the team cohesive in a bid to allay fears and aid the team building efforts ahead of what will no doubt be a tough Test series following the 5-0 nil drubbing in the one day series?
While the official word of go ahead is awaited as far as the official fourteen man squad backed up by eleven additional members including the likes of Sajid Mahmood, Samit Patel and Ravi Bopara now looks on not knowing what to expect, the Indian selection saw the expected inclusions. There would no need for back up here as players are all expected to assemble before the Test and so far, none of the Indian players have expressed reservations in the same manner
With Anil Kumble’s retirement, the door has once again opened for Pragyan Ojha. Sourav Ganguly’s retirement had speculation running rife that one of either Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina could well give Yuvraj Singh a run for his money. But after his stupendous showing against England, perhaps his selection had as much to with him being given yet another chance to redeem his talent in the Test arena as also, of the fact that Yuvraj held a decisive psychological hold over England during the one day international series.
