India's senior batsmen will be looking to get back among the runs when Rest of India takes on Ranji Trophy champions Delhi in the September 24-28 Irani Cup tie in Vadodara.
While Delhi boasts of a strong side, with Team India regulars like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma, India's Test stars, and those on the fringe of making it to the Test team, are expected to be picked in the Rest of India squad, which will be named in Mumbai on September 8.
"The selectors will be picking a virtual Test side, barring those belonging to Delhi, when selecting the Rest team," BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah had said a few days ago.
The season-opening domestic fixture has assumed importance following a poor showing of some senior batsmen on the just-concluded tour of Sri Lanka, which saw India lose the Test series 1-2.
Thus, the focus will be on Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who all struggled for runs in the three Tests. They are hoping to regain form and be picked for the all-important four-Test series against Australia, beginning on October 9.
Anil Kumble will, in all probability, lead Rest of India, but the focus will be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who opted out of the Test series in Sri Lanka, citing fatigue.
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Though coach Gary Kirsten had hinted on Tuesday that Dhoni is ready to take over from Kumble as Test captain, it is unlikely that the selectors will take away the reins from Kumble for such a high-profile series, as the ace leg spinner did lead the Test team with distinction during the controversy-marred tour of Australia.
The match could turn out to be make or break game for Ganguly as youngsters like Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma are in form and desperate to grab any opportunity that comes their way.
