‘Zaheer missing a partner’

The home series against South Africa in February will be a test for Dhoni’s boys and the skipper admits the bowling has to get sharper.
It may sound clichéd but one can’t deny reality after all. Winning a Test series against Sri Lanka at home and becoming world No. 1 is great indeed, but how does one protect this heavy tag? Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is surely thinking. Call it Vision 2010!
Given the quality of fielding and fast bowling one got to see in recent matches, Dhoni agrees that both aspects are creasing his forehead for sure. The real test is of course in a five-day game and Dhoni feels, the fielding has been relatively better in the longer variety.
“The fielding in the Test matches has been good. We have some slow fielders in the side, but I don’t think it is an area of concern for us in Tests. The close-in catchers have done a good job. Even the fielding and the catching in the out-field has been satisfactory,” said Dhoni, but reminding “in Tests”.
Winning matches is all about taking 22 wickets. Most teams come to India trying to sort out the spinners on tracks that could turn as early as Day 1. But India’s concern has been the new ball attack and Dhoni laments Zaheer Khan is missing a consistent partner.
Dhoni said, “Fast bowling is bit of a concern for us. Ishant has been going through a temporary drop in form but his talent cannot be questioned. He is going through a transition phase. The talent just needs to come of age.” The question is when?
A better-late-than-never BCCI has realized the fact that India need to play more Test matches and Dhoni is happy. That Test cricket can provide adequate entertainment has been proved the world across and BCCI has already sought a change in itinerary with the South Africans, who are scheduled to tour early next year.
“I am of course looking forward to more Test matches in 2010 and not just the scheduled two against Bangladesh. There have been a few Test matches that have been proposed and the BCCI and ICC are looking in to it. I am hopeful that this proposal will materialize,” Dhoni said.
ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat clarified: “Look it’s not up to the ICC to decide how many matches a country plays in a year. It’s for the home boards to take a call on that front. There is a four or six-year cycle in which a team has to play ‘n’ number Tests and then it is left for the home boards to decide,” adding he will be happy to see India and South Africa playing a two-Test series in February-March. BCCI will, hopefully, get its priorities right.