Nehra, Das, Mishra likely
to be left out
Ashish Magotra
Carl Hooper was a picture of confidence at Tuesday's press conference ahead of the first Test between India and the West Indies, at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.
"The pressure is more on the Indians since they are playing on home turf," said the West Indies skipper.
"At the end of the five days the team that has played better cricket will win," he added.
Hooper played down talk about a minor heel injury he suffered on Monday, saying he is fine and raring to go.
He said the playing eleven is still to be decided, as "it is very difficult to predict wickets in India".
Hooper, who will be playing his hundredth Test on Wednesday, had last visited India eight years ago.
"It is very, very hot in Mumbai and we hope to get used it. Colombo the venue for the ICC champions Trophy was not as hot, but it was very humid there too. It will be tough on bowlers of both sides, especially those who will have to bowl long spells," he said.
West Indies coach Roger Harper said the outing at Bangalore was very helpful and all the players had got going.
"The boys are looking forward to playing the first Test," he said.
Hooper felt that Lara's absence is an opportunity for the youngsters in the team to try and cement their places in the side.
"The chances of this team are as good as that of the Indians," he added.
Earlier, India skipper Sourav Ganguly said his boys are nervous but "they will settle down quickly".
Talking about the pitch, Ganguly was surprised to know that it was relaid, as he had always felt it was one of the best in the country.
"It is a new wicket. There is a little bit of grass on it," he said.
"In out last two matches (against South Africa and Australia) we had not done too well here but we hope to perform better this time round.
"Ashish Nehra, S S Das and Amit Mishra are most likely to sit out the game," the skipper added.
Ganguly felt Lara's absence would be felt more by the crowd, "which will miss some exciting strokeplay but the young West Indian side will provide a good challenge to the Indian team".
He also reckoned the return of fast bowler Javagal Srinath would add to the balance of the team.
The curator of the Wankhede pitch, Nadeem Memon, opined that the match would last four days.
"The new pitch has been re-laid according to the directions of the New Zealand experts hired by the BCCI. It is a virgin wicket, no matches have been played on this pitch. There is just enough grass on the pitch to bind it.
"It will assist the fast bowlers and last at least two days before it starts breaking up.
"The pitch will favour the India spinners as the match goes on and there will definitely be a result," he said.
It is learnt from a reliable source that about $80,000 has been spent of the entire exercise of re-laying pitches around the country. But, all in all, Nadeem promises a good match.
"If India win the toss they should bat, and if the West Indies win, they should bowl first," he further reckons.
The West Indies play three Tests and seven one-dayers on the tour of India.
Squads:
India - Saurav Ganguly (captain), Shiv Sundar Das, Sanjay Bangar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Vangipurappu Laxman, Parthiv Patel, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Amit Mishra.
West Indies - Carl Hooper (captain), Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, Gareth Breese, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Pedro Collins, Jermaine Lawson, Daren Ganga, Darren Powell.
Umpires: David Shepherd (England), Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka); Third umpire: I.Sivaram (India)
Match referee: Mike Proctor (South Africa).
