Bangalore Dec 7: India may be forced to
field an injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni if Sachin
Tendulkar is ruled out of the third and final cricket
Test against Pakistan who have also been hit by injuries
to some of their key players.
The Indian camp was keen to rest Dhoni,
still recovering from a finger injury, but captain Anil
Kumble on Friday indicated that the wicket-keeper
batsman could be drafted in the playing eleven after
Tendulkar aggravated his knee problem.
"It's not that Dhoni cannot play. He has
been playing on strapping. We have a long season ahead
and there is no break. We wanted to rest him but because
of Sachin's injury, we will have to rethink. It depends
on Sachin's fitness," Kumble said in the pre-match press
conference.
"Gautam Gambhir is coming as back up for
Sachin," Kumble added.
The 37-year-old captain admitted that
India would go into the third Test with "an
inexperienced pace attack" but said it would give
youngsters a chance to excel.
"Yes, it's inexperienced pace attack.
But it's a nice opportunity for them to excel," he said.
"Irfan (Pathan) has had success in Test
cricket while the other two boys have played Test
cricket. It's a chance for them to seal their place," he
said referring to VRV Singh and Ishant Sharma.
(Agencies)
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