CANBERRA: The Indians are likely to field their first team when they take on Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in their second and final warm-up game on Monday with the focus on the fitness of their fast bowlers ahead of the four-match Test series, starting December 26.
With the injury scare to Ishant Sharma, who is likely to be rested on Monday, the focus will be on Zaheer Khan - also returning from injury after playing just a couple of a Ranji matches.
While the bone of contention in the Indian ranks would be about how well Ishant Sharma's injured ankle is shaping up, the Australian team management would be keenly keeping a tab on the form of Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja before the real action begins.
The team sources insist it would be a precautionary rest for Ishant but at best the issue on his availability is likely to linger till the morning of the first Test in Melbourne on December 26.
In the first practice game (which was not a first-class match), Indian bowlers were taken to cleaners by Tom Cooper and Co as the Chairman's XI scored 398.
However, Sachin Tendulkar's fluent 92 and VVS Laxman's half-century have given assurances to the visitors.
Monday's match would offer a first outing for the likes of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who according to senior Australian batsman Mike Hussey has earned a lot of respect from the home team.
Sehwag will be a big draw, fresh from his record double century in one-day internationals. He would have fond memory of Manuka Oval where he thumped a century during the 2007-08 tour that paved his return to Test ranks in the subsequent Perth Test.
All eyes will also be on Zaheer Khan who is back in the team after proving his match-fitness in two Ranji Trophy games against Orissa and Saurashtra. It is particularly to counter Zaheer's swing that Australians have ordered a batting camp.
India's pace spearhead is back in the ranks pulling out midway through the first day of the first Test against England at the Lord's back in July. Since then, he has gone through an ankle surgery and a rehabilitation programme.
Zaheer's presence would also offer the Australians an insight into how their young batsmen are ready for the challenge of swing.
Test players like Hughes, Warner, Khawaja and those seeking a recall like, Trent Copeland would all spice up the contest. While talents of the future, opener Ed Cowan and batsman Alex Doolan would also be looking to earn their stripes.
Rain though is likely to play spoilsport on the opening day on Monday with nearly a certain forecast of thunders and showers promised by the weathermen.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Ajit Singh sworn in as cabinet minister
New Delhi: Days after he struck an electoral deal with the ruling UPA, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh was Sunday sworn in as cabinet minister at a brief ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Singh was the only minister to take oath at a 50-minute ceremony. President Pratibha Patiladministered the oath.
Son of former Prime Minister Charan Singh, Ajit Singh is a six-time member of the Lok Sabha and represents the family bastion Baghpat.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and some ministers were present as the 72-year-old Jat leader took oath in Hindi.
Several senior ministers stayed away due to prior engagements. These included Finance MinisterPranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
Vice President Hamid Ansari, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Renewable Energies Minister Farooq Abdullah were among those present.
The RLD has five members in the Lok Sabha, including Singh and his son Jayant Chaudhary.
Singh, who joined the United Progressive Alliance Dec 12, is likely to be made the civil aviation minister.
The Congress admitted the RLD into the ruling alliance in a bid to improve its prospects in the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
Chidambaram withdraws comment on Mullaperiyar dam
CHENNAI: Following a furore in Kerala over his remarks on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, Union home minister P Chidambaram was quick to douse the fire admitting that his "passing reference" to a bypoll fever was "unnecessary".
"Like some other speakers, I also made a passing reference to the forthcoming byelection. I take back that remark. That reference was not necessary and it was not my intention to hurt the feelings of anyone," Chidambaram said in a statement issued on Sunday.
"I continue to believe that the issue must be resolved in a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood between the people of the two States," he added.
At a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee in Chennai on Saturday, Chidambaram freely aired his views on the Mullaperiyar issue, expressing hope that the Supreme Court verdict on the dam imbroglio would be in Tamil Nadu's favour.
Also referring to reports that Kerala's protests over the dam had much to do with a by-poll scheduled there, Chidambaram said, "It is not a fear that came about suddenly, but a fear because of a byelection." The Minister was referring to the by-poll in Piravom constituency which falls within Ernakulam district and the schedule for which is yet to be announced.
But Chidambaram's remarks, coming in the midst of violence and tension in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the aggressive posturing of political leaders in both the states over the Mullaperiyar dam, evoked loud response from Kerala. Chief minister Oomen Chandy reacted sharply threatening to take up the matter with the Congress high command. "What he had said should not have been said. As a national leader and as a Union Minister, his statement cannot be approved under any circumstances," Chandy said.
Chidambaram appealed to the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to read the whole of his speech delivered at a Congress party function, "which has been extensively reported" in the media. "I appealed to everyone that we must act with dignity, restraint and patience. I said that fears over the safety of the dam were not justified but it was our duty to allay the apprehensions on the safety of the dam," Chidambaram said in his statement.
He said the safety of the dam was the concern of not only Kerala but also Tamil Nadu, because Tamil Nadu was dependent on the water from the dam. "I also appealed to everyone to await the report of the three-judge panel and the decision of the Supreme Court," he said.
"Like some other speakers, I also made a passing reference to the forthcoming byelection. I take back that remark. That reference was not necessary and it was not my intention to hurt the feelings of anyone," Chidambaram said in a statement issued on Sunday.
"I continue to believe that the issue must be resolved in a spirit of cooperation and brotherhood between the people of the two States," he added.
At a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee in Chennai on Saturday, Chidambaram freely aired his views on the Mullaperiyar issue, expressing hope that the Supreme Court verdict on the dam imbroglio would be in Tamil Nadu's favour.
Also referring to reports that Kerala's protests over the dam had much to do with a by-poll scheduled there, Chidambaram said, "It is not a fear that came about suddenly, but a fear because of a byelection." The Minister was referring to the by-poll in Piravom constituency which falls within Ernakulam district and the schedule for which is yet to be announced.
But Chidambaram's remarks, coming in the midst of violence and tension in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the aggressive posturing of political leaders in both the states over the Mullaperiyar dam, evoked loud response from Kerala. Chief minister Oomen Chandy reacted sharply threatening to take up the matter with the Congress high command. "What he had said should not have been said. As a national leader and as a Union Minister, his statement cannot be approved under any circumstances," Chandy said.
Chidambaram appealed to the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to read the whole of his speech delivered at a Congress party function, "which has been extensively reported" in the media. "I appealed to everyone that we must act with dignity, restraint and patience. I said that fears over the safety of the dam were not justified but it was our duty to allay the apprehensions on the safety of the dam," Chidambaram said in his statement.
He said the safety of the dam was the concern of not only Kerala but also Tamil Nadu, because Tamil Nadu was dependent on the water from the dam. "I also appealed to everyone to await the report of the three-judge panel and the decision of the Supreme Court," he said.
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