All eyes on Eden Gardens

vIndianz.com (12 Feb, 2010) — India’s world No. 1 Test in cricket team status will be at stake as they face South Africa in the second Test, starting from Sunday in Eden Garden, Kolkata.

eden garden India were thrashed in the first Test at Nagpur by an innings and six runs. India were without Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and V.V.S. Laxman in the match but has brought Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik for Kolkata match.

Tamil Nadu’s Karthik is in form as he slammed two centuries in the Duleep Trophy final recently after he was dropped after Bangladesh series.

Zaheer Khan is likely to pair with Sreeshanth, who is also fit after he suffered injury in Bangla series.

In Nagpur, Ishant Sharma failed to support Zaheer.

According to earier reports, a Indian cricket board official allegedly instructed the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) curator Prabir Mukherjee to prepare a turning track to help Harbhajan Singh and thus India.

Eden Garden is Harbhajan’s favourite ground: He picked 38 wickets in mere six Tests.

Both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are in form after both scored centuries in Nagpur.

Smith injured

South African cricket captain Graeme Smith had a finger injury during fielding practice at the Eden Gardens on Friday.

Smith injured a finger of his left hand while trying to take a catch during the tune-up session. Though an X-ray did not reveal any fracture, he has been taken for an MRI scan for details on tissue injuries.

Laxman fit

India’s middle-order batsman V.V.S. Laxman has recovered from the finger injury and will be available for the second Test against South Africa in Kolkata from Sunday.

“Laxman is fit and will definitely be playing,” chairman of selectors Krish Srikkanth said.

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