The preponderance of seamers is in accordance with the hard, grassy wickets expected in Zimbabwe but contrary to general impression, India's spinners have received plenty of purchase on two previous tours of Zimbabwe. Three of the four spinners from the third Test squad at Chennai are retained while Rahul Sanghvi gets an opportunity to resurrect his career, having been harshly jettisoned after the pipeopener in Mumbai where Saurav Ganguly gave him ten overs in five spells, in which he took two wickets. Of the quicker bowlers, Rakesh Patel, lively and industrious, collected 34 wickets in the Ranji season. But for a knee injury which severely curtailed his participation in the final he might have ended up as the highest wicket taker in the competition. It makes one wonder whether domestic performances really count.
Separate teams are likely to be chosen from the probables for the Test and one-day legs of the tour.
A five day camp for the probables will kick off in Bangalore from May 13 and the final team is to be announced on May 18.