Bolstered by the return of charismatic captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, India would look to clinch the two-match series 2-0 when they take on Bangladesh in the second cricket Test starting at Mirpur in Bangladesh on Sunday. India had beaten Bangladesh by 113 runs in the first Test in Chittagong without Dhoni and Harbhajan, who have now recovered from back spasm and stiff neck respectively.Dhoni, who will take charge of the team after Virender Sehwag deputised for him in the first Test, will strengthen the batting department lower down the order. Harbhajan will be raring to go after missing the first Test as he has had a poor record against Bangladesh. In the two matches he has so far played against them (in 2004), the off-spinner have taken just four wickets.Injury to senior batsman VVS Laxman, who is a doubtful starter, will not affect the performance of the visitors though they may have to do some re-jigging in the team composition if he is not fit enough. India will also have to do without paceman Sreesanth who will be returning home because if a hamstring injury. In any case, he would not have made it to the playing XI if India go for two pacers and two spinners considering the flat and slow wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.After being ruled out of the second and final Test against Bangladesh due to a hamstring injury, Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth will return home on Saturday. Sreesanth had suffered a thigh strain on the final day of the first Test, which India won by 113 runs.
News On AIR | January 23, 2010 4:06 PM
India look to blank Bangladesh 2-0