OWN CORRESPONDENT, Bombay | Monday 1.10pm.
HANSIE Cronje and his touring South African side will not know whether to be delighted or mortified after star Indian batsman Mohammad Azharuddin was dropped from the first Test line-up due to injury.
Azharuddin’s unavailability will leave a huge gap in the Indian batting, but he will be replaced for the first Test by the flamboyant and equally dangerous Ajay Jadeja, who, like Azharuddin, was omitted from the recent Test team to tour Australia.
Jadeja is certain to grab his chance with both hands, and should prove to be a sticky customer.
Azaharuddin, 37, after being left out of the Australian touring side, was recalled to the team on Sunday for his 99th Test appearance.
Just before the team was announced, Azharuddin was hit on the left thumb by fiery fast-bolwer Mornantau Hayward during the three-day tour opener against the Indian Cricket Board president’s team.
Announcing Azharuddin’s recall, cricket board secretary Jayawant Lele had described the injury as a minor bruise which was expected to heal within 48 hours.
But further examination on Monday by team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus, ruled Azharuddin out for at least one week.
Critics linked Sunday’s decision by Sachin Tendulkar to step down as captain to Azharuddin’s recall.
Meanwhile, speculation has mounted that coach Kapil Dev will also quit the team management following Tendulkar’s resignation as captain.
Tendulkar stunned the cricket world on Sunday by stepping down as captain after the two home Tests against South Africa, saying he was not enjoying the job and wanted to concentrate on his batting. — AFP