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Team selection: All eyes on Tendulkar

Principal Correspondent

Kanpur: As K. Srikkanth and his fellow-selectors sit down to finalise the 15-member squad for the remaining matches of the current ODI series against England here on Thursday, attention will be centred on Sachin Tendulkar.

The maestro has not donned coloured clothes on the field ever since he struck a match-winning 91 against Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Series final at Brisbane on March 4.

Tendulkar opted for rest during the first three matches of the limited overs series against England and it remains to be seen whether he will make himself available for the remainder of the series.

In case Tendulkar steps in, it might be an automatic swap with M. Vijay unless the selectors have other ideas.

Rohit Sharma with just 169 runs from his last ten innings has failed to live up to his pedigree though he struck runs recently in the Ranji circuit.

Meanwhile Virat Kohli from within the squad and Robin Uthappa, who scored two tons for Karnataka and desperate for a comeback, await their turn.

Bowlers in focus

Amongst the bowlers it would be interesting if selectors read between the “rest-required” lines of M.S. Dhoni.

In a long season, the fast bowlers need their breaks to revive themselves while R.P. Singh, lacking rhythm, is hanging precariously though Dhoni had kind words.

“R.P. (Singh) hasn’t played much cricket though he has been in the squad and when you get a chance and you know that you are there because someone is injured, you tend to put pressure on yourself.

“He was our pick in England and I am sure he will come back well,” Dhoni said while the selectors juggle with some tough calls.

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