WORLD CUP FIFTEEN

It seems we have almost finalised the fifteen for the World Cup.

Team for the first two matches against Sri Lanka have been announced and as the second match would be played on 11th February, the Selection committee says that the performance in these two matches would be the basis for final selection for the World Cup.

One doesn't know who would replace Sehwag, if he fails to perform. Similarly an all rounder, as an alternative to Pathan has also not been thought of. Pathan needs to be included, whether he fails or not. Munaf Patel's fitness is suspect and his fielding is much below Ranji Trophy standard. Srisanth, though he bowled outstandingly well during the test matches, is yet to adjust himself to contain batsmen in limited overs game. These two bowlers would be playing the first two matches against Srilanka and if they fail, do we have other tested bowlers to replace them?

We have driven us to a situation, where the players perform well or not, they need to be included for the World cup fifteen. Did we not have a choice?

We had plenty of choice. We should have played R.P.Singh, VRV Singh and Munaf Patel and selected one or two most suitable for limited overs game. Ability to contain batsmen and fielding well are the two criteria based on which suitability is to be tested. For the all rounders' place, both Irfan Pathan and Joginder Sharma should have been asked to contest. Joginder Sharma just bowled four overs and from which the selectors have come to a conclusion that he falls short of world cup standard. If after a lay off, Ganguly and Shewag can bounce back, would not the law apply to Kaif too? Raina and Kaif can reduce 40 to 50 runs from the opponents and can also help in getting wickets. Crippling the opponent is one of the major strategy in war fare and winning the world cup is winning a war in the sports arena.