The stage is all set for crucial second Test between India and touring South African team starting here on Thursday but the biggest worry that is looming over Indian camp is the injury stricken players that also include the fitness status of Indian captain Anil Kumble and pacer Ishant Sharma.
The Indian camp is already handicapped by the absence of experienced master blaster Sachin Tendulkar that certainly must have been given a big respite to the rival camp.
The fitness status of both the skipper and the seamer is still not clear as it will be assessed on the morning of the Test and a final call will be taken then on their inclusion for the second Test.
Both the teams will be looking forward to the Motera pitch hoping that it will surely provide some assistance to the bowlers and will be result-oriented pitch after the runs galore placid track in Chennai. The teams already had a terrible experience in the first Test.
The curator has forecasted that the surface will be a slow turner but the big question is whether India has the appropriate resources to utilise those conditions in their favour with some of the key bowlers still to recover fully from injuries.
"We will have to wait as we have some more time before the Test match so we will take the final call tomorrow morning," the Indian skipper Kumble told reporters on the eve of the second Test.
Kumble is recovering from a right elbow injury and he was feeling better than before but whether he will be playing in the Test or not would depend on a fitness test just before the game on Thursday morning.
The same is the case with fast bowler Ishant Sharma as his inclusion also subject to his clearance of fitness test. The lanky speedster was ruled of the first Test after sustaining a toe injury during the CB tri-series in Australia last month.
Mohammad Kaif replaces batting ace Sachin Tendulkar, who is not playing because of groin injury, will have to fight his place in the eleven with Yuvraj Singh who could get the nod ahead of him in the match.
India is also looking to get the services of all-rounder Irfan Pathan to endorse their five bowlers theory to counter the South African batting in an another batting-friendly appearing wicket.
However Indian captain is quite sure of India’s good performance in the second Test as he said that whatever combination they come up with, India is capable of putting up a good show.
"I think we have potential and quality to do the job irrespective of whatever combination we have, we have already chalked down some plans to put pressure on our opponents and hopefully we will get the desired result," Kumble said.
Kumble also discarded South Africa's ploy of nailing down Virender Sehwag with body line attack and believes that it may not work, as he is a good enough batsman to handle.
“Veeru scored 319 runs in his last innings and he is capable of handling whatever comes his way," the skipper stated.
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