This one-day series already in the bag, and rains threatening to reduce the final game tomorrow to a stop-start affair, Team India have asked those on the bench to stand up and raise their hands. With the first Test starting in four days, left-arm pace veteran Zaheer Khan has been rested, and Mahendra Dhoni given a break from the “demanding” No 3 slot.In the event, Team India will throw in the left-arm pace of RP Singh and give Robin Uthappa a chance to build an innings at No 3—Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir will continue to open.“It’s not an experiment. Robin is an opener, and we need him to get some overs, bat up the order. We will definitely use Dhoni again (at No 3) in the future, as and when the situation arises. Also, Dhoni has had a lot of hard work to do over the last four days. We have got a Test match in which he will have a huge role to play as wicket-keeper and batsman. We’ve got to step off the gas, and step off the pedal with people as well,” said skipper Rahul Dravid.With Zaheer out, Manoj Tiwary back home due to a shoulder injury, and Sreesanth’s “sore calf muscle” under observation, Dinesh Mongia or, if Gautam Gambhir practising his leg-breaks at nets is any indication, Piyush Chawla may end up doing 12th man duty.
