India Team for the Cricket World Cup 2007
Cricket Australia has already announced the list of 30 probable for the World Cup which is now just 62 days and 5 hours away. India will follow suit in a couple of days - but the real questions will be answered only next month when the final team of 15 is announced. ( Feb 13th is the deadline) Meanwhile, India's tour of South Africa has come to a close and as we take stock of the future, I couldn't resist myself from picking a possible squad for the big show coming up in the Caribbean. So, here i go...
In batting order, this is my first XI:
1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Saurav Ganguly
3. VVS Laxman
4. Yuvraj Singh
5. Rahul Dravid
6. M S Dhoni
7. Irfan Pathan
8. Harbhajan Singh
9. Anil Kumble
10. S. Sreesanth
11. Zaheer Khan
( the only real confusion i had was over the no.9 batter, whether Kumble or Sreesanth! Dravid's turnaround in One-day cricket happened when he started coming in at no.5, and that's where he should stay. Laxman would make for a good no.3, though it's a good idea to promote Pathan sometimes. But that should be a surprise weapon only and treated like one. Yes, i have chosen Pathan for his twin abilities - his inclusion provides the team with just the right balance, just what Dravid's did the last time round.)
12. Ajit Agarkar
13. Virender Sehwag ( only if he does something in between now and Feb 13th)
14. Ashish Nehra
15. Mohammad Kaif
In batting order, this is my first XI:
1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Saurav Ganguly
3. VVS Laxman
4. Yuvraj Singh
5. Rahul Dravid
6. M S Dhoni
7. Irfan Pathan
8. Harbhajan Singh
9. Anil Kumble
10. S. Sreesanth
11. Zaheer Khan
( the only real confusion i had was over the no.9 batter, whether Kumble or Sreesanth! Dravid's turnaround in One-day cricket happened when he started coming in at no.5, and that's where he should stay. Laxman would make for a good no.3, though it's a good idea to promote Pathan sometimes. But that should be a surprise weapon only and treated like one. Yes, i have chosen Pathan for his twin abilities - his inclusion provides the team with just the right balance, just what Dravid's did the last time round.)
12. Ajit Agarkar
13. Virender Sehwag ( only if he does something in between now and Feb 13th)
14. Ashish Nehra
15. Mohammad Kaif
It's the biggest stage in the world of cricket, and if performances in past World Cups are any indication, experience has mostly triumphed over rookiness. Among Indian players, Navjot Singh Siddhu is the only rookie i can remember who made his presence felt in a World Cup.
By this yardstick, Nehra and Kaif come in. Nehra was impressive recently, on a flat Kotla track in the capital, he took a fiver. He was one of India's stars in the previous World Cup and my vote goes for him over a very lazy Munaf Patel. ( Munaf should never be allowed to represent the country as he might be having a very bad influence on kids watching cricket - his running speed is just amazing.)
If Sehwag doesn't do anything of note by 13th February, Karthick could be a definite consideration. He was most impressive in the last test against the Proteas and the Indian selectors seem to prefer picking up an extra wicket-keeper. ( Parthiv Patel was in the team last time, though he never played a match)
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95 comments:
Include Karthick / Sehwag for Laxman - Laxman is not a 1-day fighter .
Sehwag - I don't like him much , but , I I believe he must be there.
Nehra/Kaif/Agarkar should hardly be considered.
Also , we need to try youngsters in the next series - There are lotsa good players in the backing.
how do u drop kaartik...and sehwag deserves to sit out of the ODI team now..he has been out of form in ODIs for the last three years....let his go and lose some weight..
Don't under estimate virender sehwag. He is crucial for india's chances. He needs some confidence.
I wonder why you guys need shewag!! send him to play few domestic before he can be picked up!! the pick of your 1st 11 Seems quite interesting, and looks like it would come to your choice!!
This kind of collopse at the end of minute at the world cup time is great mistake from BCCI.We dont have any preplan to select the best ODI players for world cup 2007.Fourth coming west indies series should be last chance for players to get confidence and fitness.
This kind of collopse at the end of minute at the world cup time is great mistake from BCCI.We dont have any preplan to select the best ODI players for world cup 2007.Fourth coming west indies series should be last chance for players to get confidence and fitness.
I think its gud that sehwag is not included unless he show up something before feb 13.. well the rest of the team is fine but i think agit agarkar have played well during west indies tour he would be key bowler so he should be included in 11 . and inspite of dhoni karthick should be given the chance.
faheem khan said
according the best indian will be as follows
sachin tendulkar
saurav ganguly
rahul dravid
mahinder singh dhoni
irfan pathan
mohammed kaif
yuvraj singh
harbhajan singh
sreesanth
zaheer khan
sehwag (if he is in form )
it was very unfair 2 send Irfan Pathan back from SA, especially as he did so well in Potchefstroom. I think Dravid and Chappell have something against Irfan and if so, rather come out in the open and say what it is. so that Irfan can carry on doing what he does best and that is play cricket.
perhaps Irfan has some personal issues to deal with? i mean the guy is only 22 years old - perhaps he has girlfriend problems - pretty much like Zaheer Khan came under the spotlight when he returned home frm SA - it was all in the news about him living with his girlfriend Isha Shirvani? to spread this kind of news, cannot be good for a cricketer's careeer.
Congratulations Irfan on being selected to play the 4th ODI against West Indies. Don't take any notice of what people are saying about u having a girlfriend in your life - so what if u do in any case? it is not a crime
Irfan, you show them what u are capable of doing during the last ODI against West Indies, especially as it is being played in your home town. You will still come out on top and become one of the world's best all-rounders. God Bless You Irfan!
I think Agarkar fits in the top 11 for the one day side. He is doing consistently well. He has not produced a lot of wickets in a match but he has always picked a few wickets per match.
best15 team for the worldcup
1.robin uttapa
2.ganguly
3.dravid
4.tendulkar
5.yuraj singh
6.sehwag
7.irafan pathan
8.agarkar
9.harbajan
10.zaheer kahan
11.kumble
12.karthik
13.sreesanth
14.suresh raina
15.romesh powar
1.robin uttapa
2.ganguly
3.dravid
4.tendulkar
5.yuraj singh
6.dhoni
7.irafan pathan
8.agarkar
9.harbajan
10.zaheer kahan
11.sreesanth
12.sehwag
13.munaf patel or kumble
14.karthik
15.romesh powar or suresh raina
Irfan Pathan definitely has a lady friend in South Africa, as friends of mine saw him with a girl during his tour of South Africa before he was sent back to India. Perhaps this is the reason he is performing badly? but it should not be; he should learn to deal with it and come out in the open and say what is worrying him.
IRFAN PATHAN HAS A GIRLFRIEND! so what? i believe he was seen with a lady friend in JHB at his hotel - perhaps this is the same lady? but who really cares? good luck to him and her!
not sure if it was the same lady in JHB - at the Inter Continental Hotel in Jhb South Africa. Anyway, good luck to him as u say. This surely cannot be the reason he was sent back to India in the middle of the tour? apparently, he was seen with a beautiful young lady in Port Elizabeth. There is no smoke without fire - this rumour is all over the Internet - have seen it a few times now
I have it from a very reliable source that Irfan Pathan has a girlfriend in SA - in Port Elizabeth. There was no lady in Johannesburg. Obviously just a fan - you know how people gossip, but i do believe that he has a special lady friend in SA. Good 4 Irfan! and for her, whoever she may be!
PLEASE leave Irfan Pathan's love life alone - the guy is entitled 2 have a special friend in his life - he should come out in the open and acknowledge her. She is a lucky lady whoever she is!
OK, you guys, let me set the record straight - Irfan was seen in the company of a beautiful young lady in Port Elizabeth - this is the rumour doin the rounds at the moment. This is a fact! now let anybody dispute it. It will not upset his cricket - he has been chosen to play against Sri Lanka - u go Irfan and show them what u made of!
really what does this subject have 2 do with Irfan's cricket? can anybody tell me this? i wonder if Irfan is aware of this on the Net? but even so, good luck 2 him and her whoever she may be. Irfan, if u have a girlfriend, a million hearts must be breaking right now all over India and the rest of the world.
i have Indian friends in Port Elizabeth who saw Irfan in this young lady's presence, so what? i have the scoop on his love life, but will not say anything further. just want 2 see how far this rumour goes on the Net. But, apparently, she was very BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
why don't we let Irfan answer all these rumours???? if he has a girlfriend, so what? good 4 him and 4 her, even if she is in SA - wonder how the relationship will work though with him living in India and her living in SA? anyway, Irfan, I wish u the best of luck - from a HUGE fan of yours
i can tell u 4 sure that Irfan will not two time anybody - he was not seeing a woman in JHB; the lady friend he has, definitely lives in Port Elizabeth. Please stop spreading these terrible rumours about a girl in JHB. There is no girl in JHB.
Sourav Ganguly, (in form)
R Uthappa, (in form)
Rahul Dravid (capt), (in form)
Sachin Tendulkar, (in form)
Virender Sehwag, (Out of form)
Yuvraj Singh, (Out of form)
MS Dhoni, (Out of form)
Irfan Pathan, (Out of form)
Ajit Agarkar,
Harbhajan Singh,
Zaheer Khan
12th man : Dinesh Karthik (very good fielder and in form)
Reserve:
Munaf Patel, (Bad Fielder)
Sreesanth, (Erratic)
Anil Kumble, (Not really suited for ODI)
i thought this was a forum about cricket - why is Irfan Pathan's love life being discussed here? surely there r other forums to discuss this kind of thing - if this person is so sure that Irfan has a girlfriend in SA, why not give us her name? come on. if u know so much about her.
this person who has the so called SCOOP on Irfan's love life, why dont u come out in the open with it, or are u afraid 2 say something?
well i sincerely hope that after all this news about a girl in South Africa on the Internet, that Irfan is able 2 concentrate on the forthcoming matches against Sri Lanka.
there are some sites on the Internet that say that Irfan Pathan had a troubled mind in South Africa - perhaps this is the reason why he had a troubled mind? not so much a troubled mind as much as his mind was on this girl in South Africa?
Well, i have spoken to my Indian friends again and they have confirmed that they saw Irfan in Nando's with a beautiful girl - they were not sure if she was Indian or not. they saw them together in Port Elizabeth.
well if your friends saw Irfan with this girl in PE, tell us what she looks like? these stories r definitely going 2 get back to Irfan Pathan and one wonders how he is going 2 react when he reads these stories.
All we can say is that she had long dark hair and was EXTREMELY PRETTY! A perfect match for Irfan. They also looked so happy together. Like a true couple in love!
oh really, this forum has now got totally out of hand! is this not all about cricket? these ladies are really becoming desperate now. We all know that Irfan Pathan's is one of India's most eligible bachelors, but ladies please, restrain yourselves. This is not necessary and could be damaging to his career! think of the poor guy
well, i can tell u one thing, this lady better hide, or else she is going to get attacked by all the Irfan Pathan fans out there, as he is loved and admired by millions of women in India. If she knows what is good 4 her, she will go into hiding.
well, let us all hope that this young lady, whoever she is, reads these particular comments and perhaps she will reveal herself to the world? that is all we can hope for, otherwise Irfan Pathan will have some explaining to do, because it seems as if these rumours may be true. There is no smoke without fire as the saying goes.
well the easiest way 2 find out who this lady is, is to ask one of Irfan's team mates. perhaps somebody out there is friendly with some of the team members - surely they must be aware if Irfan has a lady friend in SA? Irfan is close to Mahendra Singh Dhoni - perhaps he knows something, but is also not saying???? the plot thickens by the minute
now would one of Irfan's team mates really gossip about him? i don't think so. You are just trying to grasp at straws here. Ask the man of the moment himself - IRFAN PATHAN!!!!!!!!! come on - confess
one wonders what Irfan's strict Muslim family will say about all this? one site did mention that his mother is eager 4 him to find a girlfriend - well, her wish has now come true.
this has now truly got out of hand. what is Irfan going 2 say when he reads this? surely he is going 2 see all these comments eventually? what if his family members see it? however, i am really curious 2 know whether this is true, i.e. that he has a special lady friend in South Africa? well, whoever she is, she is one LUCKY lady, because he is one HOT guy!
i think what people would like 2 know was whether Irfan only met her now when he visited SA, because i dont think he has been to SA before? this is really juicy gossip - just be careful that a newspaper reporter does not get hold of it!
i really dont believe Irfan was sent home frm SA because of this reason. Surely other members of the teams have lady friends in their lives as well??? some of them are even married and it does not affect their game, so PLEASE leave Irfan alone. this news is surely going 2 get back to Irfan in some way or the other. why r people so interested in other people's lives? and especially, their love lives? surely Irfan is entitled 2 have a friend if he wants one, even if she happens 2 live in South Africa - let it be!
ALL we are saying, is that if Irfan has somebody in SA, then he should just admit it. Because eventually it will come out. Also, think of the poor girl's feelings. this news could get back to her as well, whoever she may be! perhaps they r just good friends and nothing more? if somebody has evidence of their relationship, why dont u publish it on the Internet then?
i think whoever started this story on the Internet, is just plain jealous about the fact that Irfan has met somebody. if u start a story like this, u must have your facts straight and clear. U ARE JUST JEALOUS!!! Let Irfan be!
well there was an interview a few days back which appeared on the Net, where Irfan said that he was committed....... to his cricket of course, but the headlines said - is Irfan getting ready to tie the knot? makes one wonder where this story came from all of a sudden?
IRFAN PATHAN was seen attending a jewellery launch in Bandra yesterday. wonder if he was buying his lady love something? apparently, he was seen with some of the other team members.
this is truly pathetic - can't Irfan even attend something like this? please leave the guy alone and let him live his life in peace! he is going 2 be angry when he sees all these comments. wonder if he has seen these comments? it will all get back to him sooner or later
i really dont believe that Irfan would have a girlfriend in South Africa! his family would never allow it - his parents would most definitely choose a wife for him, whether he likes it or not. unless of course this girl in SA comes forward - has some proof that she and Irfan r friends or more than friends? nothing much that his parents can do i suppose
well this is a perfect story 4 some newspaper journalist to try and uncover - come on all u nosey journalists out there - start digging for some juicy news. these cricket stars are always being asked whether they have girlfriends - i remember Dhoni was asked once on television whether he had a girlfriend and he said that he has been looking 4 years 4 the right girl.
well, let us all hope that the lady in question comes forward and then we can all rest in peace. But then again, who is going to believe her? let Irfan Pathan answer these questions - let him say whether these rumours are true or not. That is if he will ever admit 2 anything like this.
some sites say that it was a good thing to send Irfan home from South Africa, because he was just sitting idle, but from the looks of things, he was definitely not idle in SA - he had a lady friend whom he was seeing. Will be interesting 2 see if she joins him in the Carribean 4 the World Cup, that is if he is chosen which I am sure he will be! this forum is really exciting! keep it up!
sending Irfan back to India will not solve the problem; will not keep his mind of this particular lady of his. Absence will surely make the heart grow fonder. That is how the saying goes. let us see how he performs against Sri Lanka and then we can talk
well dumb and dumber - if friends of yours saw Irfan with this girl in Port Elizabeth, why did they not think 2 take a photograph of the 2 of them together? that would be proof enough surely??? why do cellphones have cameras nowadays? duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well all this truly sounds like something out of a Bollywood movie! perhaps one of the Bollywood producers should look at making a movie on this? Irfan Pathan and the mysterious lady in his life. I mean he is a great looking guy and from this site, it would appear as if the young lady in question, is stunning, so what a great couple they would make on screen?
are u trying to be sarcastic? well, remember Irfan had a very small role in a movie before - Mujhe Shaadi Karoge (with Salman Khan in the lead role)???? perhaps u have a point.... this must be one of the most exciting forums on the Internet nowadays.
i jinesh.v like to see sreesanth and ganguly in the team for worldcup. ganguly has proved. but srresanth is yet to prove
well, never mind Sreesanth proving himself - Irfan will have to prove himself as well. Especially now in light of all these rumours making the rounds.
surely Irfan Pathan surfs the Net - he cannot play cricket all the time - come on IRFAN PATHAN, i think it is time u answer all these rumours going around.
I am a journalist, so I frequently surf the Net during the evenings to catch up on all the news and i came across this very interesting debate. I was in Port Elizabeth with the Indian cricket team and happened to see Irfan with a beautiful young lady, but did not think much of it - thought she was an autograph seeker. However, after giving it much thought, I am almost 99% sure that I saw this same girl in Durban at the Elangeni Hotel where the cricketers were staying - I saw her entering the foyer of the hotel - could this rumour really be true? will be interesting to see if anything else develops from this.
well if u are a journalist, then this rumour must be true. could it be that this same girl was in Durban when the Indian team were playing there?
but if i remember correctly, when the decision was taken 2 send Irfan back to India, he was in Durban at that time. would be really interesting if the hotel staff in Durban could see this - perhaps they could shed more light on the matter?
now that a journalist has come forward 2 say that there is some truth in this story, really makes it very interesting reading. Perhaps there are some more journalists out there who know something? there were a lot of journalists travelling around with the Indian cricket team at the time of their tour to SA! If this journalist has some proof, then Irfan will have 2 admit 2 everything
surely if this info is true, then Irfan Pathan's team mates must be aware of it. he must have close friends in the team. this journalist obviously has ways and means of finding things out. why don't these people who saw Irfan in PE with the girl say anything more?
these comments r truly getting out of hand - from the news today, there seems to be a lot of strife in the Indian cricket team camp already - they do not need all this kind of publicity as well. there is now news about Sehwag having an argument with the coach during the tour of SA and that was the reason why Sehwag was dropped from the team.
IRFAN PATHAN now has a shoulder injury and may not play in the first ODI against Sri Lanka tomorrow! this is not good news at all.
perhaps his shoulder is sore from hugging his girlfriend too much?????? ha ha
how sarcastic can one get! that is a very nasty thing to say about Irfan. you r just jealous that he has met a beautiful young lady in South Africa; in all of India, he was unable 2 find a girlfriend and South Africa was able 2 provide him with a stunning girl to fall in love with.
you know, one is so TIRED of this old story now - if somebody has something 2 say, PLEASE just say it and get over with it. If u have proof, provide the proof whatever it may be. a name perhaps? an address perhaps? where exactly does the young lady live? a description of her?
glad 2 see that things have died down a little now on this site - perhaps they have decided 2 leave Irfan Pathan alone for a while... let's hope so for his sake
i suppose the person who started all this, was hoping that it would hit the headlines by now, but nothing has happened - is this why u have become so quiet all of a sudden?
well if a journalist knows about it, then it is bound to make headlines sooner or later in the press and Irfan Pathan will just have 2 admit 2 this. what is the big deal anyway if he has a girlfriend? it is not a sin
well, there is 1 way of finding out who this mysterious young lady is? post an ad on the Net, or in the SA newspapers and ask her 2 come forward. that should do it!!!
Irfan and Dhonia are so close, surely Dhoni knows who this girl is in SA?
as the news broke yesterday that Sehwag was dropped because of a fight with the coach, so the real reason will be revealed as to why Irfan was sent home frm SA; it was not because of his bowling - this must be obvious by now surely?????
where is this so-called journalist who says he saw Irfan with this young lady in PE and Durban? why dont u come forward with more info? I believe it is because u don't have any information; u r just making stories up. can these cricketers walk around freely when they visit other countries? not sure how the system works? do they have security guards or something with them at all times? just wondering how Irfan managed to spend time with this young woman?
well at least all these rumours will put an end to the story that Irfan and Suresh Raina are more than friends? there was speculation about that as well, because they seem so close. But then, Irfan is very close to Dhoni as well; sometimes 2 close; not natural if u ask me? always together at functions, etc,.
well i spoke 2 my friends again in South Africa today and they definitely confirmed that they saw Irfan with a young lady in PE at Nando's - they were not there for very long though. She had long dark hair and was wearing jeans and as far as they can remember, a green top. Apparently, she was a REAL STUNNER!!! one had 2 look twice at the girl that Irfan was with in Nando's that evening. not sure where they went after Nando's, but they were alone at Nando's; there were no other members of the team with them. Also, not sure if she is Indian; my friends say that she looked Indian though. like a real Bollywood beauty.
and why did your s0 called friends take so long 2 come forward with this news? what the girl was even wearing? r they so sure of their facts? i am telling u; u had better be careful once Irfan Pathan gets 2 hear about all this - dont think he will like all this gossip about him
and while this debate rages on, one wonders what Irfan Pathan will say about all this once he reads it? perhaps he has already seen it all who knows? just seems so unfair that people bring all this out into the open... but if he has a special lady in SA, then he should just admit 2 it and get on with his life.
well i have an idean - Pakistan r playing against South Africa tomorrow in Port Elizabeth (where this young lady lives), so why don't your friends go 2 the match and try and see if they can spot her in the crowd, especially if she is SO BEAUTIFUL - one will surely recognise her
do u think she will go to Pakistan match - perhaps she only supports the Indian team?
i have a great idea - send Irfan Pathan back to South Africa to find his form with the bat and ball - he can also spend some time with his girlfriend; will do him the world of good!!!
some of the news journalists were discussing this last night and during the course of today. One journalist remembers his friend interviewing a young lady in Port Elizabeth on the day of the India versus SA one dayer - she was wearing an Indian cricket shirt as well. Could this be the young lady who we are all looking for? this interview must have been shown in India!
well, perhaps if u offer this young lady a certain amoutn of cash, she may come forward??? like say one million rand? or perhaps a few hundred thousand rands? seeing as though u r all so eager to know who she is?
so pleased to see that none of these comments have affected Irfan's inclusion in the World Cup squad - this is directed to the person who started this story on the Internet!
now what has happend to the goup of Indians who spotted Irfan Pathan with his lady friend in Port Elizabeth at Nando's? why have u all gone so quiet now? got nothing more to say? or perhaps your plan did not work? perhaps u were hoping that Irfan did not make the world cup squad, but he did!
well let us hope that while Irfan is sitting in beautiful Goa, that he has not forgotten about his lady love back in SA - hope he did something lovely for her today on Valentines Day???
well well this news has now reached indiatimes - Cricket, where it says that Irfan Pathan definitely has a lady love in South Africa - there was an article on each player for Valentines Day..... could this now be officially true?
i really hope that this is not why the selectors have not played Irfan 4 the last few matches - if it is because of this rumour, IT IS JUST NOT FAIR - surely Irfan is entitled to have a lady friend? others in the team do!!!
reports have it that Irfan has said that this is the girl he is going to marry!!!
CONGRATULATIONS IRFAN on being included in the World Cup squad and that u have been declared fully fit. You show them what u are made of! Don't let all these rumours affect your cricket. You can have a girlfriend and you can have your cricket. Perhaps Irfan will be taking his lady love with to the Carribean? How romantic that would be? and can u just imagine the photographs trying to get a glimpse of the beautiful couple!
anoymous said...
That there were in fact a girl in JHB....and she is very pretty and blond
anoymous said...
That there were in fact a girl in JHB....and she is very pretty and blond
Yes I can confirm that he was indeed seeing a lady in JHB.
I work is sandton city and I saw them together on more than one occasion. And by the looks of it they looked more than "just friends". The same girl was also spotted leaving his hotel.
And she was seen at all his cricket matches in the Gauteng area.
How jealous can somebody get? Just because irfan has girlfriend in PE, others are trying to make stories about him having girlfriend in Joburg. Very sad
I have pics with and this girl from Malaysia
just go to
http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=975964602&size=o
and check it out
they have met on several occasions
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