Monday, February 05, 2007
WC: Most Select Themselves
After a confidence-boosting series win against the West Indies, India has suddenly found it easy to give shape to its World Cup squad. India which wore an unsettled look as late as last week looks a well structured outfit even before the actual team has been announced. The credit for this achievement may be claimed by both the Chappell camp and the new selection committee. I personally feel it may rightfully be claimed by Chappell and Dravid. What the selectors after the South African debacle (?) in their knee-jerk reaction did was to rest Sehwag for four matches. That as a step to instill a sense of discipline would always prove to be wrong as Sehwag does not know how to bat differently. The one action by the selectors which proved successful was the induction of Dinesh Karthik into the one-dayers. But that also was the result of the cameo by him in the twenty-20 match against South Africa.
The majestic innings by Tendulkar at Vadodara has given India a lot of confidence. His presence in the middle in command of the situation is without doubt is an awe-inspiring sight. Ganguly with his couple of innings has made himself a sure starter. It is Robin Uthappa who has in a way queered the pitch by playing bright cricket. His knock has put Sehwag under some pressure and the usefulness of Sehwag would cause tense moments to the selectors till he starts off the block successfully in the two matches allotted to him.
Now onto the selection of the team to the Caribbean. There are a few sure inclusions. Men like Ganguly, Dravid, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Zaheer Khan and Agarkar just walk into the team. Uthappa and Karthik should also be sure selections. The spin department should be manned by Kumble and Harbhajan. Ramesh Powar may also be included in the team taking into account his wicket taking abilities and batting. He may even in the light of the available spin resources like Tendulkar, Sehwag and Yuvraj may be preferred to Harbhajan. Looking at it in a different way these part timers might force Powar out
The two other slots in the pace section might go to Pathan and Patel. Pathan’s ability to bat will bring in a lot of pressure on the selectors even if does not do any thing formidable in the matches against Sri Lanka. Only if Patel does not recover from his injury or if his performance is so pathetic, Sreesanth stands any chance of sneaking into the team.
Well if the selectors are not interested in the third spinner, they are more likely to think of Raina than nodding in favor of a fifth pace-man. So only a brilliant performance alone may enable Sreesanth to book his ticket to the Caribbean.
