One Day squad to Sri Lanka

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Current form and fitness will be the key criteria for India's selectors when they meet in Mumbai on Thursday to pick the squads for the one-day series against Sri Lanka, which begins later this month, and September's Champions Trophy. More... India one-day squad selection Irfan and Uthappa under scrutiny Nagraj Gollapudi August 6, 2008 Irfan Pathan and his brother Yusuf could be competing for the same spot in the one-day squad © Getty Images Current form and fitness will be the key criteria for India's selectors when they meet in Mumbai on Thursday to pick the squads for the one-day series against Sri Lanka, which begins later this month, and September's Champions Trophy. The meeting will also discuss the return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the one-day captain who pulled out of the Sri Lanka Test series, and Yuvraj Singh, who was left out. Cricinfo learnt that the players under scrutiny include Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa. It's understood that indifferent form is the main reason why it could be touch-and-go for Irfan, who had also nursed an injury during the Asia Cup last month, and Uthappa, who has been a key figure in Dhoni's gameplan. The selectors feel that Pathan's problem is his ineffective bowling on flat subcontinent pitches. He took only four wickets in three matches during the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh and, despite not being completely fit, played the Asia Cup in Pakistan where his three wickets cost 71 apiece. Pathan was subsequently omitted from the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series. "Irfan is not being so influential and, in addition to his loss of pace, he is not even able to cut the ball and bowl well at death", one member of the selection panel said. It's a view which is shared by the other selectors too. If Irfan has any support it might come from Dhoni who has strong belief in the allrounder. It's likely that Irfan will be competing against his brother Yusuf for a place in the squad. Yusuf made his ODI debut during the Kitply Cup and has played seven matches without a spectacular performance. His ability to score quickly and part-time offspin make him a direct competitor of Irfan. Uthappa's case is equally weak, considering he's scored only one half-century in his last 20 innings. His loss is likely to work in favour of Suresh Raina, who was among the highest run-scorers in the Asia Cup. Raina made his comeback to the one-day squad for the CB Series in Australia but didn't play a game. He failed to make a significant score in the Kitply Cup but Dhoni's confidence in Raina paid off and he played a crucial part in India making the Asia Cup final. The selectors are unlikely to make any drastic changes to the existing ODI squad unless forced to by injuries to players. It has also been learnt that Sreesanth's fitness report is not convincing and he continue his rehabilitation for a side strain. Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan will also return to the squad. Tendulkar last ODI appearance was the CB Series final in Australia after which he played for the Mumbai Indians during the IPL before opting out of the Kitply and Asia Cups in order to recover from a groin injury. Zaheer, whose tour of Australia was cut short by a heel injury, has successfully recovered and is currently playing the Test series in Sri Lanka. Considering the spinner-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka, the selectors are likely to consider Piyush Chawla as the third spinner in the squad in addition to Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha. However, Chawla is likely to miss out on Champions Trophy selection the squad will have only 14 members and Ojha's left-arm spin offers variety. The pace-attack will comprise Zaheer, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh and Praveen Kumar and the rest of the 15 will be made up by seven specialist batsmen. Probable squad Sri Lanka one-day series Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Yusuf Pathan/IrfanPathan, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Piyush Chawla. Champions Trophy Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Yusuf Pathan/IrfanPathan, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha.

[Ram]

A few Important Selection calls coming up Irfan and Uthappa under scrutiny Nagraj Gollapudi August 6, 2008 Current form and fitness will be the key criteria for India's selectors when they meet in Mumbai on Thursday to pick the squads for the one-day series against Sri Lanka, which begins later this month, and September's Champions Trophy. The meeting will also discuss the return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the one-day captain who pulled out of the Sri Lanka Test series, and Yuvraj Singh, who was left out. Cricinfo learnt that the players under scrutiny include Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa. It's understood that indifferent form is the main reason why it could be touch-and-go for Irfan, who had also nursed an injury during the Asia Cup last month, and Uthappa, who has been a key figure in Dhoni's gameplan. The selectors feel that Pathan's problem is his ineffective bowling on flat subcontinent pitches. He took only four wickets in three matches during the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh and, despite not being completely fit, played the Asia Cup in Pakistan where his three wickets cost 71 apiece. Pathan was subsequently omitted from the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series. "Irfan is not being so influential and, in addition to his loss of pace, he is not even able to cut the ball and bowl well at death", one member of the selection panel said. It's a view which is shared by the other selectors too. If Irfan has any support it might come from Dhoni who has strong belief in the allrounder. It's likely that Irfan will be competing against his brother Yusuf for a place in the squad. Yusuf made his ODI debut during the Kitply Cup and has played seven matches without a spectacular performance. His ability to score quickly and part-time offspin make him a direct competitor of Irfan. Uthappa's case is equally weak, considering he's scored only one half-century in his last 20 innings. His loss is likely to work in favour of Suresh Raina, who was among the highest run-scorers in the Asia Cup. Raina made his comeback to the one-day squad for the CB Series in Australia but didn't play a game. He failed to make a significant score in the Kitply Cup but Dhoni's confidence in Raina paid off and he played a crucial part in India making the Asia Cup final. The selectors are unlikely to make any drastic changes to the existing ODI squad unless forced to by injuries to players. It has also been learnt that Sreesanth's fitness report is not convincing and he continue his rehabilitation for a side strain. Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan will also return to the squad. Tendulkar last ODI appearance was the CB Series final in Australia after which he played for the Mumbai Indians during the IPL before opting out of the Kitply and Asia Cups in order to recover from a groin injury. Zaheer, whose tour of Australia was cut short by a heel injury, has successfully recovered and is currently playing the Test series in Sri Lanka. Considering the spinner-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka, the selectors are likely to consider Piyush Chawla as the third spinner in the squad in addition to Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha. However, Chawla is likely to miss out on Champions Trophy selection the squad will have only 14 members and Ojha's left-arm spin offers variety. The pace-attack will comprise Zaheer, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh and Praveen Kumar and the rest of the 15 will be made up by seven specialist batsmen. Probable squad Sri Lanka one-day series Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Yusuf Pathan/IrfanPathan, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Piyush Chawla. Champions Trophy Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Yusuf Pathan/IrfanPathan, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha. Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at Cricinfo © Cricinfo http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/363852.html --------------------------- Who will miss out? Who will make the cut?

[Chaos]

these youngsters against young mendis? god help us :icflove:

[Dravid]

with tendulkar back.. uthappa will prob be out now btw http://indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=116482

[vadodaravictor]

Interesting..looks like there will at least be one Pathan in team:-D

[flamy]

It will be good to get rid of Uthappa. Pathan needs some more work. He bowled really well in Aus. But leaks way too many runs in subcontinent.

[msb1991]

Irfan Pathan should be dropped and sent to the NCA to work on his bowling under close supervision. His bowling is no longer ODI standard and he needs to work on building a very strong base of tricks as well as working on accuracy and swing. He cannot be fooled into thinking that his bowling is adequate for bowling on flat pitches. It is a confusing case, because on the surface, he has a strong wrist and a good seam position, but the ball simply refuses to swing as it once did. There is no need to rush Sreesanth back to competitive cricket either and the probable squads look about right with Yusuf Pathan, who needs to prove himself with the bat soon, in for Irfan Pathan. I'd like to see India go into the first ODI with: 1. Sehwag 2. Tendulkar 3. Gambhir 4. Raina 5. Yuvraj Singh 6. MS Dhoni 7. Yusuf Pathan/Rohit Sharma 8. Kumar (1) 9. Harbhajan Singh 11. Sharma 12. RP Singh (2)

[Dravid]

break up sehwag- gambhir opening combo? :O for me, sachin at 3

[satishg]

I'd like to see India go into the first ODI with: 1. Sehwag 2. Tendulkar 3. Gambhir 4. Raina 5. Yuvraj Singh 6. MS Dhoni 7. Yusuf Pathan/Rohit Sharma 8. Kumar (1) 9. Harbhajan Singh 11. Sharma 12. RP Singh (2)

msb y isint Zak there in ur team..he is an automatic choice as the front line seamer if he is fit and it appears that he is fit..so thats a surprise omission from ur list..

[Predator_05]

With Raina striking good form, Yusuf in strong contention and Tendulkar coming back, it's going to take India a fair bit of time to find the right balance in their playing XI. So many good batsmen and no shortage of bowlers either. Zaheer, RPS, Ishant, Praveen are all good enough to play - figuring out which one to drop is going to be difficult. Hopefully we'll see some experimentation during the 5 match series 'cos they better find the right combination before the all-important Champions Trophy.

[Chaos]

this would be my battin order, placing in order of who plays spin the best. 1. Sehwag (would have placed gamby at 1 if vaas isnt there) 2. Tendulkar 3. Gambhir 4. Dhoni 5. Raina 6. Yuvraj 7. Rohit 8. And then the tail. I think our top 4 batsman should be good enough to play mendis, but IF we want to take care of power plays, i would send yuvi at 4.

[cowboysfan]

these youngsters against young mendis? god help us :icflove:

my sentiments exactly.

[Sachinism]

Irfan Pathan should be dropped and sent to the NCA to work on his bowling under close supervision. His bowling is no longer ODI standard and he needs to work on building a very strong base of tricks as well as working on accuracy and swing. He cannot be fooled into thinking that his bowling is adequate for bowling on flat pitches. It is a confusing case, because on the surface, he has a strong wrist and a good seam position, but the ball simply refuses to swing as it once did. There is no need to rush Sreesanth back to competitive cricket either and the probable squads look about right with Yusuf Pathan, who needs to prove himself with the bat soon, in for Irfan Pathan. I'd like to see India go into the first ODI with: 1. Sehwag 2. Tendulkar 3. Gambhir 4. Raina 5. Yuvraj Singh 6. MS Dhoni 7. Yusuf Pathan/Rohit Sharma 8. Kumar (1) 9. Harbhajan Singh 11. Sharma 12. RP Singh (2)

Thats a good team, though i don't think Jumbo will play I'd like to see both Yusuf and Rohit develop, so hope they both do get chances

[Texy]

both pathans suck and why is everyone forgetting SREESANTH

[Fontaine]

Irfan Pathan shouldn't play in the subcontinent flat pitches. He's a test match all rounder when there's swing on offer like he did against Australia, but bowling him now in Sri Lanka will be a waste. He needs to learn effective variation, using the angles properly and most of all getting his accuracy right for subcontinent flat tracks. I'd much prefer Rp Singh, Patel, Sharma.

[King]

It will be good to get rid of Uthappa. Pathan needs some more work. He bowled really well in Aus. But leaks way too many runs in subcontinent.

:dito:

[Chaos]

:dito:

:finger:. He can bat much better than yuvi against spinners

[Laaloo]

:finger:. He can bat much better than yuvi against spinners

They both suck.

[fineleg]

He can bat much better than yuvi against spinners

True. While IKP's bowling sucks in subcontinent, IKP will probably bat better than YS against M&M. For that matter, Badrinath can probably do a better job than YS.

[Shane]

Well Sachin coming back changes everything, my team for the first ODI, Virender Sehwag Sachin Tendulkar Gautam Gambhir Yuvraj Singh (OMG) MS Dhoni Suresh Raina Irfan Pathan / Rohit Sharma Harbhajan Singh RP Singh Pragyan Ojha Zaheer Khan BCCI have announced the squad for the ODI's Virender Sehwag Sachin Tendulkar Gautam Gambhir Yuvraj Singh MS Dhoni Suresh Raina Irfan Pathan Rohit Sharma Harbhajan Singh RP Singh Pragyan Ojha Praveen Kumar Zaheer Khan Munaf Patel Parthiv Patel Virat Kohli