MADRAS, 14 October 2004 — India have recalled one-day specialist Mohammad Kaif in a bid to beef up their batting order for the second Test against Australia starting today.
Opener Aakash Chopra looks set to be axed as he shoulders the blame for the collapse of India’s top order in both innings of the first Test which led to the 217-run defeat in Bangalore.
“We’re looking to give Kaif a go,” India captain Saurav Ganguly told reporters yesterday. “He will bat in the middle-order.”
Chopra was out for a duck and five in the first match of the four-Test series and Ganguly said he could be replaced by moving Yuvraj Singh up from six.
“There is a possibility of Yuvraj going up the order, as an opener,” said Ganguly.
Kaif, 23, played the last of his four Tests during India’s 2-1 series defeat in Sri Lanka in August 2001 with a top score of 37.
His call-up is a reward for his consistency in one-dayers, in particular his two fifties during the one-day series against England last month.
With the exception of Rahul Dravid’s 60, none of the top five batsmen made 50 in Bangalore as they were dismissed for less than 250 in both innings. Yuvraj, 22, has opened at the domestic level has won Ganguly’s backing to do the same at Test level for his ability to score quickly.
Ganguly said his batsmen needed to rediscover their form, especially in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar.
Ganguly dismissed suggestions that Vangipurappu Laxman was under pressure after being dismissed cheaply by spinner Shane Warne in both the innings in Bangalore.
