Dhawan was put through the paces by the trainers to help him gain full match fitness
Shikar Dhawan
Bengaluru: For India ‘A’ skipper Shikhar Dhawan, it would be a matter of proving his fitness while for other hopefuls, the three-day game against Bangladesh ‘A’ beginning at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium from Sunday will boost their chances for a shot at the Indian team for the upcoming South Africa Test series. Recuperating from a fracture to his right hand sustained during the first Test in Sri Lanka in Galle last month, the selectors will be closely watching Dhawan’s progress.
In the preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy, Dhawan was put through the paces by the trainers to help him gain full match fitness ahead of the T20Is and ODIs, starting October 2 in Dharamsala.
On a sporting deck, Dhawan & Co. will be up against Bangla spearheads Rubel Hussain, Shafiul Islam and Al-Amin Hossain. In this crucial clash, Dhawan needs to spend some time in the middle to prove his match fitness while also getting some runs under his belt.
For Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Aaron, Karun Nair and Naman Ojha, an impressive run against the Bangla outfit, which miserably lost to a second string Karnataka unit on Thursday, could possibly spur their hopes for a place in the team for the four-match Test series. Having been replaced by all-rounder Gurkeerat Mann in the limited overs side, a huge test awaits for Jadeja. Only a notable performance can possibly help the Saurashtra all-rounder to stage comeback into the senior team.
Only considered in the Test squad due to his pace, Aaron has failed to make a mark in the wickets tally. Already falling like nine pins against an inexperienced Karnataka attack, Aaron could be vastly destructive if the Jharkhand quick sticks to basics. Sharing the new ball with Varun, Abhimanyu Mithun too has worked his way back into the selectors’ radar following a remarkable domestic season.
Madhya Pradesh ‘keeper Ojha who joined the injury-hit senior side in the series-winning final Test in Colombo, replacing Wriddhiman Saha could not make the chance count.
Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Nair’s incredible show for India ‘A’ over the last two months earned him a call-up to replace the injured M. Vijay. If the consistent Karnataka batsman continues his good form he could well keep his berth going.
Mominul Haque’s men will hope to sign off on a high ahead of the Australia series at home. Heath Streak’s side suffered a jolt after strike bowler Taskin Ahmed hurt his side in the opener of the three-match ODIs. Only Vice-captain Nasir Hossain and Liton Das have shown nerves of steel while the skipper has banked on all-rounder Shuvagata Hom and spinner Saqlain Sajib.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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