World Cup is in the air
India and Pakistan are discussing a joint hosting of the biggest annual cricket event in existence; I’m referring, of course, to the World Cup. I question if India shouldn’t just bid for the whole kit and caboodle, only because I think people from say, England and Australia will be much more willing to visit India to watch the cup than Pak, but we’ll see what’s in the cards.
Speaking of the world cup and India, our team has been in question lately, if you haven’t noticed. Here is the most up to date list on who will be there from the Hindustani Times:
Sourav Ganguly (chancey)
With one of the best one-day records, the Indian captain has been one of India’s biggest match-winners. However he has been struggling for runs since the last World Cup. His fielding has always been under the scanner. Moreover, he doesn’t command the same respect from his peers that he did a few years ago. Earlier, no one but Tendulkar could be said to have been bigger than him but things have changed and he has lost that superstar status to a younger breed of players and some say, the authority over them too. Even as the fight with Chappell seems far from over, it would be interesting to see if Ganguly can summon that same aggressive spirit on the field and really last till then. At the moment, it looks very unlikely.
Sachin Tendulkar (chancey, injury issues)
If the gods keep watch over India’s most famous elbow (and as yet other unknown injuries), Tendulkar should be playing his last World Cup in two years. He made the last one his own by scintillating performances throughout the fortnight. He would definitely want to add this last, elusive feather to his cap. He’s a match winner and if Ganguly is missing, could well be the key player even at the top of the order. If of course, he remains free from injury.
Rahul Dravid (should be there)
Definitely the most improved Indian cricketer since the last World Cup. A sure-shot captain if Ganguly doesn’t last. Interestingly, the steady Dravid, who no one thought would be anything much in the one-day stakes, is now universally acknowledged as among the best one-day players on the planet. Like Tendulkar, he’ll probably be playing his last WC and would be desperate to win.
Virender Sehwag (should be there)
It is strange that one of the world’s most explosive players has a much better record in Tests than in one-dayers. He scored only one half-century in the entire tournament last time around but things have changed dramatically since then and India look to him for deliverance. Yet his record in ODIs needs tremendous improvement. Quickfire 30-40’s won’t win the World Cup and while Sehwag’s place is not under threat at the moment, he’d probably need to shape up.
Md Kaif (should be there)
He is growing into a real good player, someone who can be counted on in tough situations. He has matured as a batsman and is definitely the best fielder in the team. He brings an urgency to running between the wickets and ground fielding. You can’t rate him as a match-winner on his own but he knows his role and performs it to perfection. He can give the batting line-up solidity along with Dravid either near the top or in the middle.
Yuvraj Singh (should be there)
He is an exceptionally gifted cricketer who is not doing justice to his talent. He is another match-winner but again, averaging 30 or just under does not showcase the true extent of his talent and Chappell is known to be keeping a close eye on him. A natural strokeplayer who has the ability to turn the game on its head in the matter of a few overs, he seldom does that. An aggressive fielder who provided the Indian batting solidity with Kaif lower down the order but in the current scenario, that partnership seems to have been broken with one of them batting near the top. Also, he loves batting on harder tracks, so might find it a little tough in the Windies.
MS Dhoni (should be there)
India’s answer to Adam Gilchrist? Not by far but Gilchrist is in a league of extraordinary men. Dhoni is a good, aggressive player but needs to do well consistently to find a place in the final 14 in 2007. It’s really too early to comment on his long-term ability but he has an advantage simply because there doesn’t seem a challenger on the horizon. Another player who loves batting at the top but how many people can open? Tough call again. Talented cricketer but too early to say.
Stay tuned here to Boulevard India for all your world cup updates! More news as it develops.