All eyes on Sehwag, Zaheer in Northants game

Stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to bat against Northamptonshire in their practice game at the county's ground on Friday.

Opener Gambhir is leading the side even though skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is part of the team. He may not keep wickets for entire duration, as reserve 'keeper Wriddhiman Saha is also in the team.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Praveen Kumar have been rested for the tie.

Importantly, India is fielding all three cricketers who are expected to boost the team at Edgbaston in the third Test, starting August 10. Thus, all eyes are on the senior trio of Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Gambhir ahead of the third Test in Birmingham.

Pragyan Ojha and Virat Kohli, however, haven't been fielded for this game. It's also an important game for leg-spinner Amit Mishra to stake claim for inclusion in the side for the third Test, since it's a clear toss-up between him and Ojha.

The match is a 100-over-a-side game with 90 scheduled to be bowled during the day. Each team will have 12 players.

Indians: Gautam Gambhir (capt), Virender Sehwag, Abhinav Mukund, mahendra Singh Dhoni, vvS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma.

Northamptonshire:  MB Loye, NJ O'Brien, RA White, RI Newton, DJG Sales, Dj Willey, D Murphy, PM Best, D Burton, LM Daggett, L Evans and T Brett.