| "Everyone
knows Yuvraj will play," Ganguly said this week and, though he
did not specify who would be excluded, opener Chopra is the weakest
link in a batting order boasting Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin
Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman. Critics
are divided on who should be promoted up the order but former captain
Sunil Gavaskar feels wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel is the man for the
job after his unbeaten 62 in the second test, which Pakistan won
by nine wickets to level the series 1-1.
"Parthiv's
gumption will no doubt earn him a promotion to the opening slot
for the third test so that Ganguly can come into the 11," Gavaskar,
India's most successful opener, wrote in his weekly newspaper column
on Friday.
The 26-year-old
Chopra, who made his debut against New Zealand at Ahmedabad last
year, had proved invaluable in India's surprise 1-1 test series
draw in Australia earlier this year.But while he was praised for
his ability to stay at the wicket for long hours, he was criticised
for failing to keep the scoreboard moving.
Chopra's test
average over eight matches is just 28.13. In the second test at
Lahore, he scored four and five in the two innings.
"Chopra,
after his twin failures will unfortunately have to make way, though
he has played his part in the big scores that the others have put
up by being the anchor at the other end, " Gavaskar added.
One option
is to ask Yuvraj to open.
The 22-year-old,
who has played 94 one-day internationals, opened for Punjab in domestic
cricket this season to bolster his chances of winning a regular
test slot after failing to break into the strong middle-order.
But some experts
feel having an irregular opening pair would be a step back for India,
who have tried 41 different combinations since Gavaskar retired
in 1987. |
