India Elect to Bat Against Northants in Warm-up Game

Northampton: Stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to bat against Northamptonshire in their practice game that is being played at the county cricket grounds on Friday.

Opener Gambhir is leading the side even though skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is part of the playing XI. He may not keep wickets for entire duration as reserve keeper Wriddhiman Saha has also been inducted into the playing XI.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Praveen Kumar have been rested for this tie.

Importantly, India is fielding all three cricketers who are expected to boost up the team's show at Edgbaston in the third Test, starting on August 10.

All eyes will be on the senior trio of Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Gambhir ahead of the third Test match in Birmingham.

Pragyan Ojha and Virat Kohli however haven't been fielded for this game. It's also an important game for leg-spinner Amit Mishra to stake his claim for inclusion in the third Test since it's a clear toss-up between him and Ojha.

The match is 100-over-a-side game with 90 scheduled to be bowled during the day.

It's also 12-players-a-side game.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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