Well, each and every fan of the game in this cricket crazy nation is praying that Team India must retain the World Cup trophy. Although the mission does not appear to be a smooth one for the simple reasons like, poor form of our bowlers clubbed with their injuries and non-consistent batsmen. The discouraging results of just concluded Tri-series and 4 test series against Australia had been self explanatory.
So in the given situation, a hell lot of supporters and former cricketers from India and abroad have really shown concern as to why the star of the last World Cup, Yuvraj Singh – despite his good show in the Ranji Trophy – has not been given a chance. Everyone knows that Team India is in dire need of an effective all- rounder and Yuvraj Singh would have smoothly fitted in the role. Majority of his fans feel that due to the injury of many bowlers, administrators can still consider his inclusion in the squad.
Former India captain, Dilip Vengsarkar has opinedned that Team India has made the mistake of carrying too many injured players in the squad selected for the World cup, and this might prove to be a handicap for the defending champions in their bid to retain the title. He looks very surprised at the omission of last World Cup’s man-of-the-tournament Yuvraj Singh and in-form opener Murali Vijay from the World Cup squad.
He has termed these omissions as “shocking and surprising”. Team India, in their very first opening match encounter in their World Cup campaign, is to take on Pakistan in the high-voltage in Pool A game. Team India had never lost against Pakistan in the World Cup. He strongly feels that playing arch rivals Pakistan in the very first match was a “blessing in disguise” because if the team wins the game, the mindset of the players will change.
Q. On India’s poor performance in the Tri-series:
It should not have any effect on the team’s morale. They should treat it as any other tournament that they played. World Cup is a different tournament, a huge event and that should spur the Indians to do well. Besides first they would be up against a relatively inexperienced and comparatively average Pakistani team whose record against India in the World Cup is dismal. Man to man this Indian team (if all are fit) still looks a better proposition than the Pakistani team.
Q. On team composition:
India has to carry along the injured players simply because it doesn’t have options. Frankly, you just cannot carry injured players in the squad hoping they would be fit.
Instead they should have picked the fresh ones who are raring to go and hungry for success. In case Ishant is still not fit then I guess Dhawal, with his high arm action and his ability to hit the deck and move the ball, should get the nod.
Q. On Yuvraj being left out:
Yuvraj’s omission from the squad was shocking, to say the least. He is your proven match-winner. He is in great form in domestic matches. Besides, he would have been handy in bowling and fielding departments too. Besides Yuvi, the omission of Murali Vijay who batted brilliantly in England and recently in Australia was equally surprising.
Q. On ideal batting line-up:
To start with I will go in with Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar. However, the combination could change depending on the result of the first match against Pakistan. Virat should bat at No.3 simply because he is the best Indian batsman and as such he must get to bat as many deliveries as possible. Besides, once set, he can destroy any opposition with his explosive batting.
Q. On India’s key players:
In batting, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja (if fully fit) in bowling.
Q. On Stuart Binny’s role:
Binny can play a very important role. He is a hardworking all-rounder and a good mover of the ball. Besides, this time around, two new balls will be used and Binny could be more than handy. He is a good striker of the ball.