In what could be considered as one of the biggest surprises that the selection committee could ever conjure, out-of-form batsman Virender Sehwag has been given a spot in the Test squad that will tour Australia later this month. Many would consider this as wrong and mis-calculated, with Ian Chappell even considering Sehwag’s ommission from the list of 24 probables as India’s first mistake ahead of the tour. Looks like the selectors have given heed to his advice by recalling Sehwag back. The X-factor that Sehwag provides cannot be ignored. All he needs is a good score to get going. If he can start the series with a resounding century then he may just be included in the ODI squad as well.

Lets look at why his selection can be a bonus for Team India, provided he gets a place in the playing XI. Wasim Jaffer is in the form of his life at the moment, so was Dinesh Karthik a couple of months ago. Jaffer is not experienced in bouncy conditions as Australia, but Melbourne and Sydney are no longer fast, in fact they will actually be more suited to Indian players. The first match at the MCG offers Sehwag the perfect opportunity to reclaim his spot in the Indian team. He should remember that on this very ground he smashed 195 in the first day of play. Of all the Indian players, only Sehwag can demoralize the Australian bowling attack, especially Brett Lee and Shaun Tait. With not a lot of swing movement predicted, the pitches suit his style of attacking play.

The other surprise in the squad is newcomer Pankaj Singh who has taken the place of Munaf Patel. Pankaj seems to have impressed the selectors in his recent domestic and India A performances. Joining him in the pace department will be Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh and Zaheer Khan. Zaheer and RP will lead the bowling attack and Irfan would most likely be the third bowler. Kumble and Harbhajan are the two spinners. It will be interesting to see if Bhajji gets a chance in the playing XI.

The middle order is jam packed with Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh. Yuvi may yet again be unlucky to miss out. Only an injury to any of Sachin, Saurav, Dravid or Laxman can guarantee him a spot to play. Dinesh Karthik is the final member of the squad as the replacement wicket-keeper. The Indian selectors have looked at his good showing in England and given him another chance to redeem himself after a dismal series against Pakistan. It will be him and Sehwag competing for the second opener’s spot as Jaffer has his place confirmed. Sehwag would most likely get the first preference in the first test, otherwise there is no point taking him to Australia.

The players to miss out are Munaf Patel, Gautam Gambhir and Parthiv Patel. Munav has been told to play more domestic cricket and to get his fitness sorted out. Gambhir on the other hand has missed out due to a shoulder injury, another reason why Sehwag was selected. Parthiv on the other hand has scored tremendously in domestic cricket, but will still have to wait as Dinesh Karthik has the support of the selectors and the captain at the moment.

With this squad, India have the firepower to take on the Aussies, just a matter of bringing it all together when it matters the most. They will have to grab all the chances that Australia offers, otherwise this tour could end a lot careers. With Kumble as the captain, there are sure to be some aggressive moves. This is also the last series for a lot of ageing superheroes of Indian cricket. Just like in England, they will look to go all out. Australia beware. This could be a real fight this time, just like 4 years ago.

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