Surprises unlikely in Indian squad for WC

Jan 17, 2011 |

Correspondent

Chennai, Jan. 16: The anticipated test for the BCCI’s senior selection committee could turn out to be a straightforward exercise when the squad of 15 for the ICC World Cup is named here on Monday. Barring fitness concerns, the side presently in South Africa should make the cut.

Off-spinner R. Ashwin looks a certainty ahead of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha as it is reliably learnt that the left-arm spinner is suffering from a shoulder injury.

With two specialist spinners and a host of part-timers proving adequate, the focus shifts to seam. The think tank has earlier said they would like five seamers to help rotation. Factoring the duration of the tournament and the weather that prevails in the sub-continent, five looks the logical number.

Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel are straightforward picks. Praveen Kumar who was forced to return from South Africa is expected to be a part of the mix. S. Sreesanth could seal the final spot with his superior air speed.

As many five reserves (covering every department) are likely to be named along with the final squad. The venue and duration of the conditioning camp is to be worked out soon with Bengaluru the likely host.

The openers are a ready pick. Sachin Tendulkar’s coming back was a precautionary measure. The Delhi duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are on track with their recovery. M. Vijay, with a highest of 33 in 10 ODI innings, has not helped his cause, and a reserve slot looks his best bet.

With the middle order more or less decided, the only area of concern could be the reserve wicket keeper failing to find space. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has missed matches in the past owing to a bad back. Even with the World Cup held in India, not having a replacement in the squad could be tricky. In the last two World Cups the second ’keeper did not get to play but not to have the option will not be the ideal situation.

Dhoni has made his intentions clear in promoting Rohit Sharma as an attacking batsman at No. 7; it could be difficult for the Mumbai right-hander to break in as Yusuf Pathan looks well set to grab that slot. The Baroda all-rounder is a better mover and a proven customer with the ball and he brings more to the table in terms of utility. Suresh Raina is likely to be the centre of Dhoni’s now famous ‘float’ theory. The southpaw should be the one to oscillate in the middle order.

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