Indian team for Nagpur test vs SA announced

Friday, January 29, 2010 -- The selectors have announced the Indian team for the first Test match against South Africa at Nagpur. There are a couple of surprising names in the side including one batsman, a bowler and a new wicket-keeper.

Dravid has been ruled out of the first game. He had been hit on his helmet in the second game in Bangladesh by Shahadat Hossain. He was in the hospital for a day and hasn’t sufficiently recovered to get back. Yuvraj Singh is also out of the side because of his hand injury.

Rather interestingly, the selectors have gone ahead with one replacement batsman for them; Badrinath. Hence, Badrinath will definitely make it to the playing eleven for the game, along with Murali Vijay. Badrinath, who has travelled with the team in the past, but never played a game, will now get his Indian cap. Vijay has played three Tests against Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Laxman, who had also returned back to India after the injury to his finger has been declared fit and will bat at number three position. Vijay should bat at number five and Badri should be at the number six position.

S. Sreesanth also continues to be ruled out due to his hamstring injury and in his place, the selectors have gone in for Abhimanyua Mithun. Sudeep Tyagi retains his place in the side, as do the three spinners in Harbhajan, Ojha and Mishra.

Wriddhiman Saha has been selected to replace Dinesh Karthik as the back-up wicket-keeper.