Indian crickter Sachin Tendulkar (C) gives a bat to his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) as Harbhajan Singh (R) looks on during a practice session at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on January 15, 2010. India will play two test series against Bangladesh. AFP PHOTO/Munir uz ZAMAN

Chittagong: Top ranked India will go into the first cricket Test against lowly Bangladesh here Sunday without their charismatic captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has been ruled out because of a back injury.
Dhoni, who has been in very good form, will sit out of the match because of back spasm, leaving Virender Sehwag with the task of leading the team.

Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik will replace Dhoni in the team which is looking to retain its number one position in the ICC Test championship by clinching the two-match series 2-0.

Sehwag does not think too highly of the hosts, terming Bangladesh as “an ordinary Test side” which cannot surprise the Indians.

“Bangladesh can surprise other teams in one-dayers but not in Test cricket. They are an ordinary side in Test. I don’t think they can beat us,” he said.
“It is not overconfidence but Bangladesh cannot take 20 Indian wickets, even Sri Lanka could not do it. It is difficult for Bangladesh to beat us,” he added.

With India playing not many Tests this year and other teams – including South Africa, Australia and England – closely behind them, the visitors will have to get maximum result from the Bangladesh series.
India is expected to maintain their world number one status if they win the series against Bangladesh 2-0 as South Africa, engaged in a Test series against England at home, is left with no chance of toppling the Dhoni-led side.

Even though some of the Indian players, who were part of the just concluded tri-series squad, would be a bit low in morale after losing the final to Sri Lanka, they will have to get over the disappointment and concentrate at the job at hand.

The complexion of the team has also changed after six players, including stalwarts Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, joining the touring squad.

History also favour India as Bangladesh had never won a Test against their western neighbours out of the five they have played between themselves, the last one at the same venue being a drawn affair with rain severely affecting the game.

The Indians have won by an innings in three matches while the fourth one was won by nine wickets.
For some big names in Indian cricket, it would be a perfect platform to get into the Test mode ahead of the big Test series against South Africa at home next month.

For dashing Virender Sehwag, who has scored just 23 runs in the two innings against Bangladesh, it is a great opportunity to come up with a big knock and continue his good form after his 293 against Sri Lanka last month.