A few days back, I wrote a review on ’’Pitfalls in Indian Cricket Team’’. This is a sort of sequel to that review. But don’t worry, the people who haven’t read my previous reviews will surely understand and relate to this one.
THE TEAM IN 2003 WORLD CUP
After a disappointing (read:humilating) series in New Zealand, the men in blue flew to South Africa for the World Cup. After the thrashing in NZ, no one expected them to perform well. But as usual, the Indian Team did not disappoint in surprising the viewers. After an ordiunary showing in the first two matches, the Indian Team came into its own to defeat arch rivals Pakistan. Besides, they also defeated England, New Zealand, Kenya and Namibia (obviously).
Sachin Tendulkar was God and could do no wrong. Even ganguly was playing well. The seam attack spearheaded by veteran Javagal Srinath was looking good. Dravid was doing a fine job behind the stumps. India looked all-set to finally challenge Aussie supremacy in World Cricket. But then came the humiliating defeat in the finals. But the team was shaping up well and was developing into a well-oiled winning machine.
FOUR YEARS ON
Everyone knows that the next World Cup is just round the corner and everyone is talking about it. The youngsters have created a positive buzz in the team and India is looking good again after a dismal 2004-2005. But this time, the set up is toatally different. Heroes from the last World Cup have either been forgotten or have been dropped. Srinath has retired and Ganguly has been dropped messily. Tendulkar is no more the hero he once was and Zaheer and Nehra have disappeared. On the positive side, India have unearthed power-hitters like Dhoni and all-rounders like Pathan since then.
The controlling unit of Indian Cricket, the BCCI, has also undergone change not different from the actual team. Sharad Pawar has replaced former head honcho Jagmohan Dalmiya. The coach has changed too. The peaceful and no-controversies man John Wright has been replaced by Greg Chappell, an aggressive and unforgiving bloke.
THE GUESSING GAME
According to me
Indian Squad for 2007 World Cup:-
R.Dravid (c)
V.Sehwag
S.Tendulkar
Y.Singh
S.Raina
M. Kaif (he’ll hold on)
MS Dhoni
I.Pathan
R.Powar
H.Singh
S.Sreesanth
A. Agarkar (experience counts)
RP Singh
G.gambhir
OPEN SLOT
The open slot can be taken by batsmen like Venugopal Rao or a bowler like Anil Kumble or Munaf Patel. Even Dinesh Karthick (wicket keeper) stands a chance. but Ganguly can forget about this last vacancy in the side simply because there are too many players ready to don national colours.
I hope I have made an accurate representation of what the selectors will choose. Zaheer Khan and Robin uthappa should consider themselves lucky if they get in. I personally think that Balaji and Nehra are spent forces who will be axed indefinitely along with Parthiv Patel.
BEST OF LUCK
I would like to coinclude by wishing India all the luck in West Indies (for the tour as well as the World Cup). May dravid be the second captain in Indian history to bring back the World Cup. Go India! Get ’’em.