India may come out hard at Harris

India had suffered due to lack of fire-power in the bowling department in the first game and S Sreesanth’s comeback into the side is wonderful news for the side.

Sreesanth’s ability to land the ball on the seam on a consistent basis and to be able to reverse swing the ball will complement the left-armer Zaheer Khan and to me, it looks like he could make it to the playing eleven. It is obviously difficult to see India going into a home game with only one spinner in their midst, and so the bowler who could miss out is Ishant Sharma.

As much as the Indians would have loved to have seen a fully fit Rahul Dravid, they would be delighted by the selector’s comments on VVS Laxman’s fitness. Having him back in the middle order would solidify the earlier fragile-looking Indian batting line-up and allow for some more breathing space.

While South Africa may not have great memories of the last time they played at the Eden Gardens in a Test, this side is a far cry from the one that lost to India in 2004. Then, the attack had a bit of oneness in it, as compared to this series where the skill levels are much better.

Out here in South Africa, the fans were very surprised by the way in which the visitors won the first game with so much ease. I am really interested in finding out what can the Indians throw at South Africa with those two main guys still out of the side. Knowing the Indian team and knowing Gary a little more than the Indian side, I know for a fact that they will not take this lying down, and one can expect a suitable riposte.

The temptation of playing Alviro Petersen is obviously great, given that he has come off the back of an amazing century in the one-dayers in South Africa and Prince has failed almost every single time he has opened.

But, South Africa may not want to change a winning line-up. One has also heard the news on Graeme Smith injury, but it will be hard to keep the captain out of action and if there is even a small chance of playing for him, one can be rested assured he will do that.

The South Africans will be more aware and hence prepared for a spinning track, something like the one that was dished out in the Kanpur Test of 2008. Paul Harris has spoken against the lack of respect that spinners are afforded in South Africa and he is not too off the mark.

Ever since the times of Hugh Tayfield, it has always been about the South African quickies, and Harris’ role in the first game will go a long way in bringing him and his brand of bowling to the limelight.

However, he may well have to be beware that the Indian batsmen will come out hard at him, and how he copes with that onslaught will be interesting. —PMG