Team India @ the World Cup

Rahul Sharad Dravid (Karnataka): Right hand middle order batsman, off-break bolwer, occasional wicket-keepr. 310 ODIs since debut in 1996. Captained India in 62 ODIs, won 32, lost 26 and no result in four matches. Playing in third world cup. WC record: Matches 19; Runs 779; Average 64.91; 100s - 2; Highest 145. Nicknamed The Wall, has wowed many experts for being a thinking captain. Can attack as well as defend, highly flexible, can bat at any order as the situation demands. Was the highest run scorer in 1999 world cup. If India has to win the world cup, he is the key. 

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (Mumbai): Right hand opening/middle order batsman, right arm medium pace/off break bowler. 381 ODIs since debut againt Pakistan in 1989. Led India in 73 ODIs, won 23, lost 43 and no result in 7 matches, one tied match. Playing in fifth world cup. WC record: Batting: 1732 runs; Average 59.72; 100s - 4; Highest 152; Bowling: Matches - 33; Wickets 10; Average 78.16; Best 2/28. Was the player of the world cup in 2003, was instrumental in taking India to the final. Explosive opener, has eased into the middle order to lend stability to the middle overs and control the course of the match. His bowling too will be crucial to India's fortunes.

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly (Bengal): Left hand opening/middle order batsman and right arm medium pace/off break bowler. 286 ODIs since debut in 1992. Captained India in 146 ODIs, won 76, lost 65 and no result in five matches. Playing in third world cup. WC record: Batting: Runs 844; Average 56.26; 100s - 4; Highest 183; Bowling: Matches 18; Wickets 9; Average 31.44; Best 3/22. The Dada of Indian cricket is on a comeback trail and if he gets going, it will be a mouth watering treat for his fans. Is highly motivated and focused in his last lap. On his day, is an accomplished match winner.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Jharkhand): Wicket keepr-right hand middle order batsman (also can bowl right arm medium pace). 66 ODIs since debut in 2004. First world cup. ODI record: Matches 66; Runs 1958; Average 46.61; 100s - 2; Highest 183 no. The dasher with the long locks is the toast of the blue billion. Let's pray that Team India's Big Bang does not go bust. Presently, he's in terrific form, touchwood.

Virender Krishan Sehwag (Delhi): Right hand middle order batsman, off-break bowler. 167 ODIs since debtu in 1999. Captained India in 5 matches, won 2 and lost 3. Second world cup. World Cup record: Batting: Runs 299; Average 27.18; 100s - nil; Highest 82; Bowling: Matches 11; Wickets 2; Average 44.00; Best 1/3. Remember Viru, the original marauder from Delhi, the slayer of many reputations? What he would like to say and what we would like to hear: I am back. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's do-or-die for him. Even Dravid who gave him a second lease of life, by sticking his head out for him, will have no alternative than to sack him.

Yuvraj Singh Bundel (Punjab): Left hand middle order batsman, left arm spinner. 163 ODIs since debut in 2000. Second world cup. World cup record: Batting: Runs 240; Average 34.28; 100s - nil; Highest - 58 no. Bowling: Matches 11; Wickets 5; Average 14.00; Best 4/6. Much hopes rides on this Prince with the reputation of being a "finisher". Also the team's only world class fielder. If he turns in some winning stuff, can accumulate some "points" for being Dravid's successor.

Zaheer Khan (Baroda): Right hand batsman, left arm medium pace bowler. Debut in 2000. Second world cup. WC record: Bowling: Matches 18; Wickets 20; Average 4.89; Best 4/42. The world cup will be déjà vu for Zaheer who gave India a horrible start in the finals against Australia, giving away 15 runs in his first over. However, is in cracking form as the team's bowling spearhead. Is leaner, meaner and hungrier for success. It's payback time for him to say Zaheer Khan do it.

Harbhajan Singh (Punjab): Right hand batsman and right arm off-spinner. 147 ODIs since debut in 1998. Second world cup. WC record: Bowling: Matches 10; Wickets 11; Average 30.45; Best 2/28. As Dravid's first preference for the spinner's slot, has to prove himself twice over, to keep friend and mentor, Anil Bhai in tow. On his part, prefers to bowl in tandem with Kumble. Also, can deliver a few meaty blows at the end.

Ajit Balchandra Agarkar (Mumbai): Right hand batsman, right arm medium pace bowler. Played 180 ODIs, debuted in 1998. Third world cup. WC record: Bowling: Matches 3; Wickets 3; Average 54; Best 1/35. It's time for Agarkar to prove that he is not content to remain Indian cricket's enigma. Much rests on his slim but strong shoulders to give India a decent start. He also needs to respond to his critics with the bat. There's much potential there, but…

Irfan Khan Pathan (Baroda): Left hand batsman, left arm medium pace bowler, 73 ODIs since debut in 2004. First world cup. ODI record: Batting: Matchs 73; Runs 1008; Average 25.15; Highest 83; Bowling: Matches 73; Wickets 115; Average 25.91; Best 5/27. Ah, what a roller coaster it has been for India's sole all rounder. Was compared to the legendary Wasim Akram a year back, now is a pale shadow of his potential. If Irfan can rediscover his form, Team India will get a huge plus.

Anil Kumble (Karnataka): Right hand batsman, right arm leg break googly bowler. Played 270 ODIs, debut in 1990. Led India to victory in one ODI. Fourth world cup. WC record: Bowling: Marches 17; Wicekts 28; Average 23.92; Best 4/32. The eternal struggler. Team India's only match winning bowler is not sure of his place in the team in the ODIs - and that is an irony he has lived with. Kumble has often lost out to Harbhajan in the selection stakes, and no one is questioning why Kumble has to be the sacrificial goat. When it comes to attitude and commitment, they don't make 'em better than Kumble anymore.

Munaf Musa Patel (Gujarat): Right hand batsman, right arm medium pace bowler. 17 ODIs, debuted in 2006. First world cup. ODIs record: Bowling: Matches 17; Wickets 22; Average 28.68; Best 4/49. Is he injured or match fit? On his day, can be quite effective and a useful foil to Zaheer.

Shantakumaran Sreesanth (Kerala): Right hand batsman, right arm medium fast bowler. 27 ODIs since debut in 2005. First world cup. ODI record: Matches 27; Wickets 35; Average 36.11; Best 6/55. Has oodles of spunk and talent. But is not sure of his place in the eleven. One thing you can be sure, Sree will give 110% always to the team.

Aiyudda Robin Uthappa (Karnataka): Right hand opening batsman, right arm medium pace bowler. 8 ODIs since debut in 2006. First world cup. ODI record: Matches 8; Rruns 255; Average 36.42; Highest 86. The Pretender to Viru's throne. A few days ago, he made Sehwag play second fiddle to him - that's how explosive he can be. If Robin gets going, the sky is the limit really, for the rest of the batsmen to follow…

Dinesh Krishnakumar Kaarthick (Tamil Nadu): Right hand middle order batsman, wicket-keeper. 13 ODIs since debut in 2004. First world cup. ODI record: Matches 13; Runs 150; Averge 18.75; Highest 63. If there's anyone in the team who never gives up, it's got to be Dinesh. Is a fighter to the core. If he gets a lookin, you can be sure he'll make the most of it.