NAGPUR // South Africa will target India's middle-order when the first Test between the world's top-ranked teams gets underway this morning.
Rahul Dravid, the vastly experienced No 3, and the hard-hitting Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out of the two-match series, while VVS Laxman is struggling to recover from a finger injury.
Dravid sustained a fractured jaw after being struck by a Shahadat Hossain bouncer in the second Bangladesh Test last month that put him out of action for three weeks. Yuvraj is absent with a wrist problem. Subramaniam Badrinath is expected to be handed a debut and Murali Vijay will bat at No 3. If Laxman is ruled out, India will field a second debutant in Rohit Sharma.
Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, knows the weakened India middle-order provides his side with a real chance to draw first blood in the series. He will be keen to remove the openers swiftly and get Sachin Tendulkar to the crease before the lacquer disappears from the new ball.
"Guys like Laxman and Dravid, they are quality players, a huge amount of experience," said Smith.
"Not only do they bring experience, they bring calmness to the Indian team. From our aspect it's an opportunity. I think it does put pressure on guys, certainly [Gautam] Gambhir and [Virender] Sehwag. They need to take a little more responsibility. Dravid is really the rock of the lot. The responsibility on Sehwag is crucial."
MS Dhoni, the India captain, believes the potential absence of Laxman, the elegant right-hander who is approaching the 7,000-run mark in Test cricket, provides an opportunity for someone else.
"Somebody should step up and do well for the team. So I am just expecting some of the youngsters getting the opportunity to prove themselves and get runs for the side," Dhoni said.
India displaced South Africa as the top-ranked Test team after securing a 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka in December, but a 2-0 series victory for the tourists would see them reclaim top spot.
"India holds the No 1 Test ranking in the world and it is a credit to the way they have played," Smith said. "But it is not an issue for us. We have come here to play good cricket. We know if we perform to our level we would be able to put India under lot of pressure."
South Africa's preparations for the tour were disrupted when Mickey Arthur, their coach, resigned and the entire selection committee were sacked following the drawn home series against England last month.
"At the moment we have everything to gain on this tour and India has got everything to lose," Smith added. "The opportunity to beat India excites us and if we do that we get the ranking."
* With agencies
India v South Africa, 8am start, Neo Sport
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Aspyr%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
