On 28th Jan when team for first Saffa test would be decided, the selectors would be in little trouble chosing the Test team and this would be cos 3 of the 6 frontline batters are injured on this tour.
Dravid, Laxman and Yuvraj who form the backbone of the Test batting are out injured and do not know if they would recover in time for the first test.
Now the question arises who would come in for the 3.
Murali Vijay would be at 3. What about other 2 ? Chance to groom the replacements? Who ? Raina ?Sharma ?
Wont it be a chance to test the bench strength? Interesting situation. Long time, perhaps first time in 14 years that India would be without Laxman, Dravid and of course retired Saurav. Ok, that was in England 1996 when Dravid and Ganguly were yet to debut and then later on in the year Laxman debuted in Srinath's Ahmedabad test (6-21, first victory over SA)
This is Saffa's 4th tour of 2000s and 5th in all for Tests and the record doesnt look very good. 2 series losses, a win and a draw. That is, out of 10 tests won 4, lost 4 and draw 2/\.
We are yet to see Indian Test team without the 4 batting legends (Fab Four). This would be an indication of times to dawn perhaps in couple of years when the big 3 would depart and then the replacements would be on.
Next few days would be indication to the future of Indian test cricket should the big 2 not recover from their injuries.
I hope they do.
