I'm not talking of winning the world cup here but about sending the best 15 to WC. If India are to do this they'll have to think twice before naming Kumble in the final 15. They'll have to let the down the legend this time and fill in the place with Powar or D.Mongia or Raina. And having not been given chances D.Mongia is out of contention. So that means its between Raina and Powar. It's often the batting which has let down India is the recent failures right from the WI tour and hence it's logical to strengthen the batting line up which means R.Powar will have to give way for Raina (or whoever is best to fit in that place). This means Sreesanth will also board the filght(his today's performance will play in the minds of selectors). But also think twice before selecting D.Karthik also. I don't rob him of his credits but I'm sure his contribution in the WC will be little to the winning cause. If only Shewag had clicked a few matches back as the normal opener then we wouldn't be having the burden to carry an additional opener in the squad. And that would've helped the Kaif's cause and in turn the team's cause to strengthen the department of fielding and defending. It's shocking to have so many openers in the team. Gang, Sach, Sehw, Drav, Path-was on trial run as opener and adding to the list is Utha or Gamb. Just think if Gang hadn't clicked as opener then Utha n Gamb as openers and Gang also comes to the mid order. Dropping the Utha and Gamb will open the way for Powar.
The final 15
Ganguly Tendulkar/Sehwag - whoever is willing and on the team needs Dravid (captain) Yuvraj Singh - the batting order changes if sehwag chooses to open and yuv will give way to sach Sehwag/Tendulkar D.Karthik/Raina/Kaif Dhoni (wicket keeper) Pathan Harbhajan/Powar - depends on the need in the final 11 M.Patel/Sreesanth/Agarkar - depends on the need in the final 11 M.Patel/Sreesanth/Agarkar - depends on the need in the final 11
subs will be the ones not selected in the final 11 and could compromise of the following players
D.Karthik/Raina/Kaif M.Patel/Sreesanth/Agarkar
If only this team is sent then Team India will definitely win some pride for India if not the WC. But I still wish my best wishes for whoever is named in the final 15. Just give out more than your very best for your country to win the ICC Cricket Worldcup '07.
RE:The legend has to step down...
by Amitabha Das on Feb 11, 2007 08:03 PM Permalink
Philip Bhai... 2 bad games and Kumble is suddenly a burden on the Indian team? Dont forget the matches which he won us till a few months back. I agree that he didnt bowl well in the last 3-4 matches. But he was still the best pick for India in all the other series. Harbhajan is yet to reach his level. Considering the pitches of WI, dont you think Kumble can get a few odd bounces where most others would derive nothing? To my mind, Kumble is inevitable in the 15. We may or may not name him in the 11 based on which ground we are gonna play in. But on neutral grounds, he is anyday a better bet than the Powars, who I agree are the future for us.
