Is this India's best 15 for the World Cup?

Contributed by Subash Jayaraman

The Indian team heading to Sri Lanka for the World T20 consists of some deserving and some not so deserving cricketers. Either way, 11 of these 15 will take the field in a decadently hideous jersey in a bid to win what was once theirs. Champions of the first WorldT20 in 2007, India haven’t been able to replicate their success in the previous two editions. Back then they were a team of young tykes eager to etch their names in the history of T20 cricket. Now, they are a team of hardened professionals coming off an ODI World Cup victory, out to reclaim lost glory. The competition being held in Sri Lanka augurs well for India, especially since they have been playing there, like almost every day. Here’s a little analysis on what these 15 have done or haven’t done to get selected. Beginning with the batting and bowling potential, which indicates the percentage contribution of each player in the team. Of course this is for the statistically inclined and not for the faint hearted. Read on to know our take on each of the 15 members selected. We pulled no punches and drew no lines.

Batsmen:

These are the guys who are going to put runs on the board. Most of the Indian batsmen are pretty good and are ‘supposedly’ excellent players of spin. So murdering attacks in Sri Lanka shouldn’t be too difficult for this lot. That is of course if the right batsmen are selected. Let’s take a look at whose selection is right and who should have been ‘left’ out.

1. MS Dhoni:

'Captain Cool' is an automatic selection. His form in one-day cricket and T20s has almost never been an issue. He is what every other wicket keeper in India calls ‘pakadke baitha hai’ meaning a permanent employee as far as Indian cricket is concerned. His last ten T20I innings include six not-outs and he averages almost 30 in IPL 5. So from us, Dhoni’s selection gets a definite ‘double thumbs up’.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	32	30	11	565	48*	29.73	513	110.13	0/0	32/17
Last 10 T20I Inns	11	10	6	194	48*	48.5	171	113.45	0/0	9/8
IPL 5	19	17	5	357	51*	29.75	278	128.41	0/1	26/9

2. Gautam Gambhir:

Another ‘double thumbs up’ selection. Gambhir has been India’s savior on many occasions in the recent past that tweets calling him India’s Dark Knight have given him a new name – ‘Gotham’ Gambhir. In his last ten T20I innings he averages 34.5 which is quite good when it comes to T20s. KKR’s triumph in the IPL 5 would not have been possible if it weren’t for Gambhir’s contributions.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	27	26	2	752	75	31.33	610	123.27	0/7	89/9
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	2	276	56*	34.5	216	127.77	0/2	35/1
IPL 5	17	17	1	590	93	36.87	411	143.55	0/6	64/17

3. Virender Sehwag:

‘See ball, hit ball.’ The Sehwag technique is exactly what is required in this format of the game. Considering his knocks in IPL 5 and the last ten T20I innings he has played, his selection is definitely the right decision. A lot has been written about the ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ being a destroyer of bowling attacks. India will be hoping he performs well.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	16	15	0	340	68	22.66	223	152.46	0/2	37/15
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	0	182	64	18.2	111	163.96	0/1	20/9
IPL 5	16	16	1	495	87*	33	307	161.23	0/5	57/19

4. Virat Kohli:

Going to Sri Lanka without Kohli would have been akin to climbing a coconut tree with no intention of grabbing a coconut. The island nation has become Kohli’s paradise where every flower blossoms for him, no fruit is forbidden and every leaf whispers sweet nothings in his ear. Forget the reams of paper that speak volumes about him and take a look at the numbers.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	10	8	1	208	68	29.71	166	125.3	0/1	27/3
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	8	1	208	68	29.71	166	125.3	0/1	27/3
IPL 5	16	15	2	364	73*	28	326	111.65	0/2	33/9

5. Suresh Raina:

Give a fat man a cake and he’ll lick the icing off the box as well. Put Suresh Raina in to bat on a sub-continent wicket against the white ball and he’ll score for the number 7 batsman as well. In 8 out of Raina’s previous ten T20I innings, he has scored more than 25. 25 is also his average for IPL 5 – which is his own personal hunting ground where he chews up bowlers and spits out boundaries.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	26	23	4	631	101	33.21	455	138.68	1/3	54/27
Last 10 T20I Inns	12	10	2	358	72*	44.75	250	143.2	0/2	32/14
IPL 5	19	18	1	441	73	25.94	325	125.69	0/1	36/19

6. Rohit Sharma:

Irrespective of his performance in the IPL and in West Indies, we believe he does not warrant a place in the WC squad. A huge factor in our decision is his recent form and another is the manner in which he has lost his wicket. Also, his average in Sri Lanka is a mere 14.25 - quite pathetic for someone who was touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. If one can select horses for courses, one must also leave horses out on certain courses.Only two centuries to his name points out the obvious - ‘Geoffrey Boycott’s mum could make more runs than him. We at HW can play amazing shots too. The fact that we never connected the ball too often is the only reason we’re not playing international cricket.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	26	20	6	415	79*	29.64	328	126.52	0/4	33/18
Last 10 T20I Inns	14	10	2	206	79*	25.75	162	127.16	0/2	14/10
IPL 5	17	16	2	433	109*	30.92	342	126.6	1/3	39/18

7. Manoj Tiwary:

Good batsman, might become a decent bowler and a superb fielder. Manoj Tiwary certainly deserves a chance to cement his place in the side. He averaged 26 in IPL5 and gets a ‘thumbs up’ from us.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	2	1	0	15	15	15	17	88.23	0/0	0/0
IPL 5	16	15	5	260	59	26	246	105.69	0/1	21/3

All-rounders:

These are the guys who have the opportunity to exact revenge with the bat once they get thrashed with the ball. In India, searching for this kind is like searching for a needle in a haystack. They seem to have found a couple or so. Let’s take a look at these dual personality cricketers.

1. Yuvraj Singh:

His performance not backing his selection is out of the question. He was the man of the tournament in the ODI World Cup and is a classy batsman. The only bone of contention is fitness. Recovering from cancer is no small feat and he hasn’t played much after that. Hence, the decision to include him is clearly an emotional one albeit subject to him proving match fitness. Whether or not he performs against New Zealand or manages to play a few domestic games, he should not be taken to Sri Lanka as part of the 15. A player being deemed unfit mid-way through the tourney is the last thing India would want. Unfortunately the decision seems like an appeasement for an emotional people rather than the right one.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	23	22	4	567	70	31.5	374	151.6	0/5	34/38
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	2	194	60*	24.25	150	129.33	0/1	9/11

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	12	12	250	327	13	4/19	25.15	7.84	19.2	1/0
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	202	278	11	4/19	25.27	8.25	18.3	1/0
IPL 5	16	15	360	465	8	2/46	58.12	7.75	45	0/0

2. Harbhajan Singh:

‘Thumbs, ring, index and little fingers down’ for this selection. ‘Bhajji’ has done nothing to warrant a place in the squad. Since he was dropped from the Indian team last year his performance in First class cricket reads 3 matches 84 overs 3 wickets while his List A figures are 13 matches 113 overs and 11 wickets. This only shows the lack of depth in the spin department in a country that was once famous for its spinners.

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100/50	4s/6s
T20I	23	10	3	99	21	14.14	82	120.73	0/0	10/4
Last 10 T20I Inns	23	10	3	99	21	14.14	82	120.73	0/0	10/4
IPL 5	17	11	2	108	33	12	80	135	0/0	14/3

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	12	12	250	327	13	4/19	25.15	7.84	19.2	1/0
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	202	278	11	4/19	25.27	8.25	18.3	1/0
IPL 5	16	15	360	465	8	2/46	58.12	7.75	45	0/0

3. Irfan Pathan:

Another selection that isn’t too debatable. He has been scoring runs and picking up wickets. In a team of stars, Irfan has quietly gone about completing his comeback. In the recent series against Sri Lanka, signs of him getting back his swing were evident. Selection – ‘thumbs up.’

Format	Mat	Inn	NO	Runs	HS	Avg.	BF	SR	100s/50s	4s/6s
T20I	18	12	7	133	33*	26.6	106	125.47	0/0	6/6
Last 10 T20I Inns	14	10	7	102	33*	34	81	125.92	0/0	4/4
IPL 5	17	12	5	176	42*	25.14	126	139.68	0/0	14/6

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	12	12	250	327	13	4/19	25.15	7.84	19.2	1/0
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	202	278	11	4/19	25.27	8.25	18.3	1/0
IPL 5	16	15	360	465	8	2/46	58.12	7.75	45	0/0

Bowlers:

These are the guys who are going to get murdered in Sri Lanka. Except the spinners but even that is not guaranteed. India had precious little to choose from actually. These are the lambs they have offered up for slaughter. Take a look at which ones are ripe for the kill and which ones need to marinate a little more before they can be thrown into the cutter.

1. Zaheer Khan:

Nothing has to be said about him. Even if he does not perform, his presence itself makes the Indian bowling line-up look potent. India can ill afford a trip without him or the guidance he provides other bowlers. His selection is only a question of whether or not he is fit. At the moment he looks trim and raring to go. So, Zak – pack bag and head to SL.

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	12	12	250	327	13	4/19	25.15	7.84	19.2	1/0
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	202	278	11	4/19	25.27	8.25	18.3	1/0
IPL 5	16	15	360	465	8	2/46	58.12	7.75	45	0/0

2. Lakshmipathy Balaji:

His Indian recall is far overdue. This season Balaji was KKR’s strike bowler in the IPL. He has been performing quite consistently for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit as well. In India’s tiny reservoir of fast bowlers, Balaji is a deserving candidate. Selection – ‘thumbs up’.

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
IPL 5	8	8	180	162	11	4/18	14.72	5.4	16.3	1/0

3. Ashok Dinda:

When Alan Donald says a fast bowler reminds him of himself, he becomes a ‘must have’ for any team. Apart from that, his recent performance in Sri Lanka was quite heartening as was his constant effort to lift the Pune Warriors team in this year’s IPL.

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	4	4	78	95	9	4/19	10.55	7.3	8.6	1/0
IPL 5	7	7	144	169	9	4/18	18.77	7.04	16	1/0

4. Ravichandran Ashwin:

Ashwin has become India’s number one spin bowler in the shorter formats of the game. He has picked up wickets and has been economical in his recent outings. He is also Dhoni’s power-play bowler. He hasn’t been outstanding, but he seems to be India’s safest bet at the moment. Selection – ‘thumbs up.’

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	10	10	240	302	7	1/22	43.14	7.55	34.2	0/0
Last 10 T20I Inns	10	10	240	302	7	1/22	43.14	7.55	34.2	0/0
IPL 5	19	18	395	431	14	3/23	30.78	6.54	28.2	0/0

5. Piyush Chawla:

His selection stems from the necessity of choosing 15 players. The only person Chawla has impressed is Preity Zinta, his IPL team owner. Even that is not due to his performance. He had a poor IPL, but scored a century in Ranji trophy. If India have selected him for his batting, then Rahane and Badrinath should go jump in the river. Dhoni will be praying Ashwin stays fit and comes up with some dream spells. In case he has to toss the ball to Chawla, he’d be hoping that it would be when 300 runs are required of one ball. Piyush Chawla – ‘Thumbs down with tongue sticking out.’

Format	Mat	Inn	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Avg	Econ	SR	4w/5w
T20I	3	3	66	69	2	1/14	34.5	6.27	33	0/0
IPL 5	16	16	342	419	16	3/18	26.18	7.35	21.3	0/0

India's performance against other teams in T20I

Apart from a couple of dodgy selections, the Indian team looks balanced. They are one of the favourites to win this T20 World Cup. The Indians are tough to beat when they play at home and they have played so many games in Sri Lanka that even the Sri Lankans are confused as to which is the home team.

Stats by: Karna Yajnik

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