The Selection Dillema

The selection of the Indian team for the upcoming world cup in the Caribbean has been a topic of constant debate. What should be done?

The openers:
The Indian team has an unusually large number of choices for the people to put at the top of the line up. Robin Uthappa and Saurav Ganguly have been doing a good job and have been propelling the team to a number of good starts, faintly reminding us of the starts that our team was given in world cup 2003 by Tendulkar and Sehwag. The latter has not played international cricket since the south african tour and will get an opportunity to perform in the Sri lanka series, just prior to the world cup. Whether he will perform is any one's guess. If he performs, I just hope it is not a one time affair. If he doesn’t, he has his work cut out. Gautham Gambhir is out of the equation due to basic technical flaws - he is conspicuously uncomfortable with the ball on his pads (he always gets bowled around his legs, even to pacers) - and inconsistency, but one can say that he has not been given sufficient opportunity to perform. He is known to be the person who plays a couple of good shots and then gets out which has come to become the convectional innings plan of the average Indian batsman over the years.

The Middle order:
Who’s Raina friendly with? With an average in the 20s in the last few matches he has played... We don't have any problems there except the crucial number 7. We have Dravid at number 3, Tendulkar, showing glimpses of his true talent at number 4, ideally Karthick at number 5, either Yuvraj or dhoni at number six, what about no 7? If Pathan regains his form (bowling) (hopefully), we have the luxury of an all - rounder, well at least signs of one. But otherwise, there are some problems.

The 'keeper:
Its either Kaarthick or Dhoni, preferably just Karthick, if the batting is sorted out. But on what basis does Dhoni keep when Kaarthick is proven better (what with his great performance against England and New Zealand with that unforgettable stumping of Fleming off Bhajji.) The issue might be that Dhoni cant field. But that is unlikely.

The Bowlers:
The important decision is - Powar or Bhajji? Powar may not be picking up the five fors but is certainly effective in the shorter version of the game. Bhajji has good records behind him. Jumbo just HAS to play (his not playing is one of the reasons we lost the final of the last edition of the world cup - we know how the Aussies play spin.) Pathan? Once again his form is a concern. Sreesanth and Munaf's destiny will be decided as per their sri lanka series performances. Zaheer is a sure shot. RP has to be considered

England have recalled Gough, why not call on old Sri (nath.)