Smith and Kumble Blame the Pitch!

The skippers of both the sides blamed the Chepauk pitch for the drawn first test match in Chennai.

Probably the rain before the week of the start of the test could have hampered the conditions of the pitch. He also mentioned that the pitch did not crack or deteriorate as expected and the weather condition also added to the existing woe.

Both the captains praised the batting of Virendra Shewag. Smith said, "all credit to him for the way he played"

In the meantime, Sachin is not playing the second test due to groin injury. Kaif is his replacement.

Both the captains expect the Ahemadabad pitch to produce a result.

Kaif replaces injured Sachin, back in Indian Team!

With his willow doing the talking, Mohammad Kaif is back in the Indian team as a replacement for Sachin Tendulkar for the 2nd test.

Sachin is ruled out of the second test to start on April 3 in Ahemadabad due to groin injury. He was advised two weeks rest after the Australian Down Under tour. The Physio sent a fitness report on every player, but there was no time as the series against South Africa started immediately.

Kaif, who had a successful domestic season, finally found his place back in the Indian team. Though it is not sure whether he will be in the playing XI, as Yuvaraj is already waiting for his turn, we have to wait and see whether he will be given chance before being removed from the team once Sachin is back.

Kaif's last appearance for India was in 2006 against West Indies. Kaif's records:

Test Cricket and ODI

13 test and 125 ODI
22 innings in test and 110 innings in ODI
3 not out in test and 24 not out in ODI
624 runs in test and 2753 runs in ODI
148 not out is his highest in test and 111 not out in ODI
1 hundred in test and 2 hundreds in ODI
3 fifties in test and 17 fifties in ODI

Sachin and Kumble Injured!

Sachin will miss the 2nd test and it is almost confirmed that he is suffering from the groin injury. He was already advised to take two weeks rest which he didn't pay attention to.

He was also not in the field but had a substitute fielder. He missed part of the fielding on 1st, 2nd and 4th day. He was not in the picture on 5th day.

Anil Kumble, the skipper, who also felt a strain in the groin area, did not risk bowling too many overs. As the game was trending towards draw, both Sachin and Kumble felt that it is safe to take a back seat rather than risking their future.

Kumble's situation will be evaluated on April 2, a day before the start of the 2nd test.

Kaif is looked as a replacement for Sachin and he will be joining the team for the second test in Ahemadabad.

RP Singh also seemed to be unfit for the 2nd test. He recently recovered from hamstring injury, but he seems to be not fit 100 per cent.

Let us hope that Kumble recovers faster though Sachin is not available for 2nd test. Get well soon guys!

In the meantime, Ishanth Sharma has been declared fit and will most likely to play in the 2nd test.