Who'll come in if Pathan is dropped?

[Nostromo]

Looking at today's news, looks like Irfan Pathan's position in the World Cup squad is not cast in stone after all. Vengsarkar, who never pulls any punches, has clearly stated that Pathan will be left out unless he proves his fitness in the Deodhar Trophy match. This ultimatum is going to put pressure on the young all-rounder and so there is a chance that he might really be left out if the ICC approve a replacement.

The question is, by whom? In theory at least, Pathan is there in the squad for his all round abilities and so his replacement will have to have a similar CV. Who fits the bill among the current players back home?

[rineet]

Ramesh Powar..although he is a spinner, i hope they pick him in the squad if pathan isnt fully fit. he is a very good spinner who picks 2 wkts per game on an average and he can be a handy batsman as well.

[harsha]

yeah ...powar is rite option...

[Nostromo]

I can't agree. Harbhajan Singh & Kumble are already in as spinners in the team, although Kumble increasingly looks toothless these days - his batting contribution is all but non-existent. If Pathan indeed is declared unfit, his replacement should be a pace bowler who can bat better than Powar.

[Karthik]

I don't think that any of the bowlers can bat better than Powar (other than Agarkar who is already in the team).I think that their choice should be Powar because we've already got Munaf Patel,Agit Agarkar,Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth as fast bowlers.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I don't think that any of the bowlers can bat better than Powar (other than Agarkar who is already in the team).I think that their choice should be Powar because we've already got Munaf Patel,Agit Agarkar,Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth as fast bowlers.

Yes, but the problem is that you can only choose 3 of those if you want to incluse any frontline spinner, let alone Powar. Pathan's batting was good enough for No:7 but Agarkar is about right for No:8 but no higher. This leaves room for 3 more bowlers, thus avoiding the necessity to rely on the Ten-wag combo as the 5th bowling option. Moreover, Dhoni is better off coming in at No:5, giving him time to get his eye in before the fireworks. He has shown himself to be a 'proper' batsman and should not be pressurised into throwing his bat right from the start because India are struggling to catch-up.

Despite his recent success, I feel that Ganguly - with his vulnerability with the hard, bouncy new ball - should not open; Tendulkar should come in with Uthappa or Sewag.

Thus, my ideal XI would be

1. Uthappa or Sehwag
2. Tendulkar
3. Dravid
4. Ganguly
5. Dhoni
6. Yuvraj Singh
7. Pathan
8. Agarkar
9. Harbhajan Singh
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Patel or Sreesanth

I think India have to have 5 frontline bowlers - 4 of them pacemen - if they are to win in the Caribbean. This will mean having to choose between Sehwag & Uthappa to open with Tendulkar, depending on form. I know that it is harsh, but you can only have 11 players on the day. But if one of the middle order batsmen is injured - say Yuvraj, Sehwag can come in down the order, which he has done before.

[Karthik]

If Ganguly has had success in recent form while opening,he should keep opening until he feels uncomfortable while opening.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by Karthik

If Ganguly has had success in recent form while opening,he should keep opening until he feels uncomfortable while opening.

OK, that's a small and flexible point. Ganguly and Tendulkar can swap places either way in the last minute if the local conditions make it preferable on the day.

[Karthik]

Irfan Pathan has made it to the Indian team for the World Cup..It will be a sigh of relief for Indian camp because he could prove very useful.

In the Deodar trophy match,he took 2-48 for 8.4 overs and scored 2 while batting.The batting and bowling figures both look not-so-good,but it does give signs of him getting into form.

I think playing him in both the practise games (against West Indies and The Netherlands) would be useful.

[vvvrulz]

Hopefully India will utilise the trial matches well and get all their combinations right. Its critical that everyone gets a game.