Team India at World Cup

Team India at World Cup

The co-hosts and one of the pre-tournament favourites will also be the team most under pressure. They have picked what is fast turning into a controversial 15-man squad. But Dhoni's men are as confident as ever and playing at home could turn out to be the massive boost they need to regain glory. Not much has changed in the group that has been playing together for the past two seasons. So there is no question of the team not gelling together. It all depends on the luck factor as well as some key batsmen regaining their form.

MS Dhoni
Captain/Wicketkeeper

A lot rests on the shoulders of India's captain. As the squad's only wicketkeeper, he will have to be at his best behind the stumps in the tournament and as a captain he has to be able to micro-manage a tight situation or make the requisite changes to restrict oppositions.u00a0

Dhoni, over the period he has been captain has proven adept at making the right changes in the field and in bowling. His batting has suffered not due to lack of form, but lack of opportunity as an in-form top order normally does the job for India.u00a0

It probably helps that Dhoni has captained India and his IPL team in all kinds of conditions. That experience could prove vital should the pitches throw up a conundrum. He is still an explosive batsman when in full flow. 5796 runs in 174 matches at nearly 50 an innings is proof of his capability and rarely has he dropped a catch that really matters.u00a0

Sachin Tendulkar

The big one: The wicket that every bowler wants to take, the one batsman that all of India thinks can bring back the Cup. What a last year it has been for Sachin. He scored the magnificent and scarcely believable ODI double ton. It looks like his last few years could yet be the best of his career. Winning a World Cup has always been a dream for Sachin and he is a great World Cup performer.u00a0

Yuvraj Singh

Whatever said and done, Yuvraj Singh at home is a totally different prospect to the one playing-and-edging abroad. He can keep the scoreboard moving, build stands and also smash attacks. But he also has a wonderful ability to pick wickets in the middle overs as he has shown in his last few ODIs. He may have lost pace, but he can still cover short distances in the field quickly and has good throwing-accuracy.u00a0

Virender Sehwag

No matter how much anyone says they have figured Sehwag out, it's near impossible to do so because Sehwag is as open as they come. A clear, uncluttered approach, hunger for fast runs and a terrific season means he is still dangerous. Even more so at home. Off late, his gentle spin bowling has been less effective, but he is still an option for Dhoni to break partnerships.u00a0

Harbhajan Singh

That Harbhajan Singh is not as good an ODI bowler as he is in Tests is a shame. But what he lacks in the wicket-taking department, he makes up for by restricting the flow of runs. With an economy of 4.30 in 214 ODIs, he can definitely hit the brakes on the scoring. He is also handy with the bat ufffd two Test centuries last year is enough proof.u00a0

Zaheer Khan

India's pace spearhead gets the attack going when it's in a slump as was evident in South Africa. A wonderful swing bowler, Zaheer has become less reliant on pace and somehow become even more dangerous with his bag of tricks. The way he works out left-handers is especially delightful to watch. He can still swing the bat when needed.u00a0

Praveen Kumar

A remarkable ability to swing the ball both ways and the knowledge of prising wickets on unfriendly tracks has made Praveen Kumar a handy customer. In his debut series, he picked up 10 wickets in four matches in Australia and since then has regularly been the one to get the first strike for India. He can also biff the ball a long way, which will certainly come handy in tight chases.u00a0

WC Record
1975u00a0- Exited in the first round.
1979 -u00a0Winless exit in Round 1.
1983-u00a0Upset West Indies to win the title.
1987 -u00a0At home, lost in the semifinals to England.u00a0
1992 -u00a0Exited after the round-robin stage.u00a0
1996 -u00a0Tragic semifinal loss to Sri Lanka.u00a0
1999 -u00a0Knocked out at the Super 6 stage.u00a0
2003 -u00a0Impressed en route the final, but bested by Australia.u00a0
2007 -u00a0Knocked out in the first round.u00a0

Follow India

Feb 19 VS Bangladesh
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpuru00a0

Feb 27 VS England
Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Mar 6 VS Ireland
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangaloreu00a0

Mar 9 VS Netherlands
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

Mar 12 VS South Africa
Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpuru00a0

Mar 20 VS West Indies
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai.