In a team meeting, Team India showed sufficient concern on its fast bowling resources, in particular those of its right-hand fast bowlers.
MELBOURNE: Team India has dialled the number M which answers by the name of Munaf Patel.
In a team meeting on Monday night, Team India showed sufficient concern on its fast bowling resources, in particular those of its right-hand fast bowlers, to all but forward the request to the Indian Board.
In a team meeting, it is learnt that bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad expressed his concern at the inability of India's right-arm fast bowlers to hit the right length on Australian wickets.
The right-arm fast bowlers in the touring Indian squad are youngsters Pankaj Singh and Ishant Sharma, rank rookies even though the latter grabbed five wickets in only his second Test, the final one against Pakistan in Bangalore early this month.
Three other medium-pacers in the squad are all left-arm bowlers -- Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh and Irfan Pathan.
While Ishant has been shorlisted in the 12 for the opening match, Pankaj Singh and Pathan have been left out. Opener Virender Sehwag and wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Kaarthick are the others who do not figure in the 12 shortlisted for the game.
The right length on Australian wickets is the one bowled closer to the batsmen even though visiting bowlers make the mistake of pitching it short which is meat and drink to the Australian batsmen.
India is likely to field three medium-pacers in Zaheer, RP and Ishant for the Boxing Day Test starting on Wednesday.
Indian team's concern came to the fore when they looked at the MCG track this morning and realised they didn't have the attack to take advantage of what they believe to be a pacy strip for the first Test.
RP Singh hasn't played a Test match for close to three months and his rustiness is understandable. Zaheer Khan too hasn't bowled at full tilt for nearly three weeks now.
Even as wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was still busy working out how far he should stand at MCG to make safe collections, Indians got busy in looking at the alternatives for the rest of the tour.
Captain Anil Kumble has been impressed enough in recent past by Munaf's ability even though the latter has a penchant for getting injured in every second match he plays for the country.
Indian team wants Munaf to be available for selection for the third Test in Perth, starting on January 16-20.
The Boxing Day Test is too near to contemplate anything outrageous and Munaf perhaps wouldn't be needed for Sydney which has a spin-friendly reputation. But for the Perth game, Team India wants his services at all costs.
Munaf's infamous brush with injuries has forced the Board to decide that he needs to prove his fitness in at least a couple of first class games to be considered for national honours even though he has been named as a stand-by for the present tour.
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