Indian selectors have right mix for NZ, says Rixon (19 November 1998)

19 November 1998

Indian selectors have right mix for NZ, says Rixon

The Christchurch Press

National coach Steve Rixon feels the Indian cricket selectors have read the New Zealand conditions well in their choice of team for the series in this country next month.

Casting his eye over the 15-man squad named yesterday, Rixon felt it was a well-balanced side, fairly predictable in its nature. He noted India had bolstered its batting by recalling veteran top order batsman Navjot Sidhu.

"Obviously they have quite a lot of stroke-makers but a guy like Sidhu is more of a solid sort of player if the ball is moving about. Rahul Dravid is another guy who can anchor the side and build an innings around," Rixon said.

India has also opted to include another medium-pace bowler, Debashish Mohanty, in place of batsman Robin Singh, a move Rixon feels will allow another quicker bowling option on pitches which are more likely to suit seamers than spinners.

Controversial teenage off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has been recalled to the team after corrections were made to his suspect bowling action, has already played against New Zealand.

He played against the Black Caps in a tournament in Sharjah in April, and again in the rain-abbreviated series in Sri lanka in July.

Rixon said any irregularity in his action was not blatant.

"He wasn't the sort of guy you'd watch and say to yourself, 'He's a chucker', or 'That's a dodgy action'.

"We were more concerned about scoring runs from him."

Indian squad:

Mohammed Azharuddin (captain), Ajay Jadeja (vice-captain), Navjot Singh Sidhu, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Nayan Mongia, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Debashish Mohanty, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Joshi.

Coach: Anshuman Gaekwad.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz/)

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