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Graeme Smith, a doubtful starter for the Kolkata test

Hurt by the ligament damage to one of his fingers, Graeme Smith is a doubtful starter for the second test starting from February 14 at Kolkata. At a fielding practice session, Smith had injured the little finger pertaining to his left hand, and the swelling could force him to miss the test, though the medical team had expressed their confidence about the subsiding of the swelling.

Meanwhile, VVS Laxman will again don the Indian cap in this second test at Kolkata after the recovery from that of a finger injury. This elegant and key middle-order batsman is expected to strengthen the Indian batting brigades, which is still missing the services of ‘The Wall’, Rahul Dravid, as well that of the flamboyant Yuvraj Singh.

South Africa thrashing India in the first test will again grab the number one spot as with Test ranking if they manage to hold the Indians at bay during the second test. The first test between the two countries witnessed stellar performances from Jacques Kallis, who made 173, and Hashim Amla, who scored a brilliant 253, as he remained unconquered too, with Dale Steyn walking away with the bowling honors with a match figure reading 10-108, as South Africa proved too much for the Indian team in the first test.

The second test is expected to throw exciting cricketing moments, as both the teams will be vying for the honors. Can India restore the pride of its cricketing abilities by thrashing South Africa? The second test is sure to provide spectacular displays of cricketing abilities.

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