Supporting the Indian team is not meant for the faint-hearted. The Indian team is one of the most unpredictable teams in world cricket and predicting anything about the Indian team is a real gamble. This, is however true for all sporting teams of India. As for cricket, anything can happen anyday to the Indian team. We, might someday get bowled out for a cheap score and then 2 days later, in the same match, post a huge 500+ score. The Indian team is like a roller-coaster ride. Someday, India can say that they are No.1 and other days, India can fall down to No.6/7.
The Indian team, currently has many world-class players as -
Virender Sehwag - The "Najafgarh ka Sachin" from Delhi is a explosive player in tests and if its the 1st innings, Sehwag, normally gets India off to good starts in a test match by scoring big and scoring at a quick pace. In ODIs, he hasnt been that good, but has given the Indian team quick starts in ODIs. Be it ODIs or Tests, whenever Sehwag is batting, the run-rate usually stays above 4(In Tests) and above 6(In ODIs) and does not refuse to come down.
Sachin Tendulkar - The "Master Blaster" and from Mumbai, was the No.1 cricketer in the 1990s and took India to many victories. Who can forget those 6s he hit off Shane Warne to give him nightmares. On his day, he can make the best of bowlers look like weak bowlers. However recently, the injuries like "tennis-elbow" have taken the toll on him and he doesnt quite look like the same Sachin he was 8-10 years ago and was recently called as "End-ulkar".
Rahul Dravid - "The Wall" from Bangalore, has been a huge run-getter in tests and can score runs in any situation and on any pitch. Whenever India have needed someone to stay on the pitch, Dravid has done that role really well. In ODIs, he has moved over his "defensive" image and now he usually scores at close to a run-a-ball in ODIs.
VVS Laxman - "Very Very Special" from Hyderabad, burst into the international scene in 2001 with a match-turning 281 against Australia in the famous Eden Gardens test match in Kolkata. Was a bit in-and-out of form, but he did well in test matches. Laxman, however was a bit unlucky in ODIs as he could not be a regular in ODIs due to his poor fielding and was highly unlucky to miss out on the World Cup 2003. He came over it by scoring 4 ODI centuries the next year in 2004 in quick time.
Yuvraj Singh - Yuvraj Singh from Chandigarh, came into the Indian team in 2000 after playing a main role in the Indian win in the u-19 World cup the same year in 2000. Started off well scoring a 84 against Australia on debut, but became off-form except 1-2 good innings here and there. Recently in 2005, he rediscovered his batting form and improved his batting against spinners to became one of the main batsmen for India and a match-winner as well in ODIs. When in full form, he can be devastating and can turn around the match in just a few overs. Yuvraj, is however yet to be a regular in tests.
Mohammad Kaif - Mohammad Kaif from Allahabad, came into the Indian ODI team in 2002 after leading India to a win in the u-19 World cup in 2000 where he was the captain. Scored a magnificent 87 in the Natwest Finals and alongwith Yuvraj, took India to a sensational win. Kaif, however is not too good in playing the big shots, but he is a useful rotator of the strike and can score at faster than a run-a-ball without hitting too many boundaries. Kaif, is a useful fielder as well.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni - Dhoni from Ranchi, is already a big name in Indian Cricket after just 1.5 years of playing International cricket. His 148 against Pakistan and a match-winning 183* against Sri Lanka, have already made him a match-winner. Dhoni, likes to score quickly and finish off the matches in style by hitting 6s. Dhoni, was the main reason why India were able to pull of a record sequence of chasing by chasing 17 times in a row in ODIs. Dhoni, is a attacking batsman and can easily score the runs in big-shots. Dhoni, is useful in accelerating the scoring and even in just 1 year of international cricket, has shown that he is useful match-winner in ODIs. Dhoni, isnt bad in his glovework behind the stumps and has taken a few good catches. However, he has had some problems in stumpings and run-outs, but his catching is good.
Irfan Pathan - Irfan Pathan from Baroda, is a good bowler and has the ability to produce reverse-swing both ways. Irfan Pathan, is a useful attacking batsman as well and can get the runs in big-shots. Irfan Pathan, has done well in ODIs batting at no.3 as a pinch-hitter improving his batting tremendously over the last 1 year. In bowling, Irfan Pathan has cut down on his pace a bit to get more line, length and swing going. Despite the lack of pace, Irfan Pathan has proved useful for India as he normally picks up the early wickets within the 1st 2-3 overs of his spell and bowls well with the new ball. His ball to dismiss Gilchrist in the Adelaide test match in 2003 on his debut was special.
Harbhajan Singh - "The Turbanator" from Mohali, burst into the international scene in 2001 after having turbanated Australia by taking 32 wickets in just 3 tests. Harbhajan, didnt do too much later on but his ability to get the spin going and giving a huge turn on the ball is what makes him a good spinner. On his day, Harbhajan has the ability to turn the matches with his bowling.
Anil Kumble - "Jumbo" from Bangalore, is already one of the best spinners in the world after having taken over 500 wickets in tests and taking India to many wins in both tests and ODIs. Kumble, however has been out of favour recently in ODIs.
Munaf Patel -S Sreesanth -RP Singh - These 3 fast bowlers, were 1st found out in 2003 as someone who can bowl at over 140+ kph and were tried out in the warm up match against New Zealand. After 2003, injuries had their toll on Munaf and the 3 were unknown until the Challenger series in 2005 where Sree Santh, made a comeback. RP Singh, did play in the ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier. Both RP Singh and Sreesanth, impressed with their bowling in the Challenger trophy and were included in the Indian team. Munaf, also made a comeback by taking 10 wickets in the warm-up match against England few months later in 2006 and made his debut for India. Both Sree Santh and Munaf, were impressive and bowled at a quick pace. Although Sreesanth impressed in the ODIs, Munaf has impressed in the tests. RP Singh, after some good matches, went off-form and is out of favour currently for sometime.