AFTER MUCH EXPERIMENTATION, the selectors have finally chosen the best 15 for upcoming World Cup 2007. The 15 men squad includes Rahul Dravid (Captain), Sachin Tendulkar (Vice-Captain), Sourav Ganguly, Robin Utthapa, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Wicket Keeper), Dinesh Karthik (Wicket Keeper), Virendra Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Munaf Patel.

 

As per selectors the team comprises of six batsmen, five medium pace bowlers, two spinners and two wicketkeepers. It is interesting to find players who are out-of-form like Virendra Sehwag and Irfan Pathan, as being selected in the team as all-rounders. Undoubtedly, the Indian selectors know the sport better and also the requirements in the team, but nonetheless there are cricket fans that will for certian be unhappy with this move.

 

The inclusion of Virendra Sehwag in World Cup team is considered as a big mistake being committed by the selectors. Once again emotions have ruled rather than professionalism. Virendra Sehwag who is continuously failing since last two years is still receiving favours from the selectors. In recent matches the batsman hardly seems to play his natural game and yields to the constant pressures. In most of the matches he has failed to put a good score on the board. His weakness in the slips and the third man region have been well utilized by the opponents and his feet struggle on the pitch.

 

The aggressive and copious ‘Sultan of Multan’, miscalculates and his timing has been poor. Batsman’s dominance in the field is far from missing. At the same time he is not a regular bowler. The pitch and favourable conditions may however help him in his bowling, as it has on many events.

 

One interesting question that comes to mind as you go through the list is how Virendra Sehwag got an entry in the team and why Mohammed Kaif was dropped? If we compare the yearly records of Sehwag and Mohammed Kaif, then the latter’s performance comes out to be better. In previous matches Kaif has not only scored valuable runs with a good average but he has also brought many victories for India. If we take fielding even then Kaif is a much-much better fielder than Sehwag. In fact when Kaif remains in the field he saves a lot many runs and has been known for taking wonderful catches.

 

In some recent matches Kaif did show some poor performance but he is not to be blamed entirely. The selectors as well as captain are responsible to a good extent for his poor performance. Kaif is a middle-order batsman and not a hitter. Most of the times he was made to play at number 5 or 6. Where as number 3 position or 4 slot is an ideal place for such a batsman, where he can settle himself and score runs easily in the slog overs. If you go by the records you will see that whenever Kaif was given the chance to play at number 3, he scored valuable runs and also brought win for the home team.

 

Moreover, the basis on which the selectors had given priority to Sehwag over Kaif is troubling. Forget all; take the last West Indies tour where Kaif scored more runs than Sehwag and some valuable half-centuries for the team. In the team’s triumph Kaif’s contribution was more than Sehwag. Despite the records, the performances Kaif has not been given a chance, not allowed to play in the World Cup.

 

The bitter fact is that, Sehwag is in and Kaif is out and it will remain a debatable topic till World Cup 2007 is over. Whether Sehwag will be able to perform the role of an all-rounder or not, he is the expected target. More importantly we hope for the World Cup 2007 trophy and it all depends on ‘Team India’ as how they can bring it home.

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