India will take one of the world's most feared batting line-ups into the World Cup as they seek to claim their first title since 1983, but the performance of their unheralded bowling attack is likely to determine how far they progress.
Led by Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the world record for one-day international runs with 14,782, the Indian batting card also features Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and young gun Robin Uthappa.
Tendulkar has been below his best of late and has certainly not been displaying the kind of form that earned him Player of the Tournament honours at the 2003 World Cup for his total of 673 runs.
But no one doubts the diminutive ace will not be right on his game for what should be his last tilt at a World Cup title, one of the only achievements missing from his most impressive CV.
Dhoni, who is currently ranked the fourth-best one-day batsman in the world, will also be crucial to India's World Cup success.
A strong tournament from the swashbuckling Dhoni, who averages 45 with the bat in limited-overs cricket at the phenomenal strike rate of 98, would take some of the pressure off the big three.
The trio of Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly all feature in the top six run-scorers of all-time, and India will need them firing if they are to make their second successive World Cup final following the mauling they received at the hands of Australia in the 2003 decider.
On that day, Australian captain Ricky Ponting struck a blistering 140 off 121 balls as the world champions posted 2 for 359 from their 50 overs before bowling the Indians out for 234 inside 40 overs.
Australia tore the attack to pieces on that occasion and the Indian bowlers, although not boasting the big names of the batting line-up, are arguably the key to success this time around.
Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan head the pace attack with all-rounder Ajit Agarkar in tow, and the Indians boast two proven spinners in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
If the bowlers can restrict their opposition to scores of under 300 throughout the tournament, there is no batting line-up in the world, save for Australia, more capable of chasing down the totals.
Another interesting dynamic is the team's Australian coach Greg Chappell.
The former Test captain has not had the easiest time since taking over the reins in 2005, but of late appears to have the support of the public and of wayward former captain Ganguly.
Chappell has said strong performances out of at least seven of his 11 players throughout the tournament would go a long way towards securing the country's second World Cup.
If he can achieve this aim, few would be prepared to back against one of the most naturally talented sides in the tournament.
Squad
India: Rahul Dravid (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthick, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.
Source : http://www.abc.net.au
Led by Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the world record for one-day international runs with 14,782, the Indian batting card also features Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and young gun Robin Uthappa.
Tendulkar has been below his best of late and has certainly not been displaying the kind of form that earned him Player of the Tournament honours at the 2003 World Cup for his total of 673 runs.
But no one doubts the diminutive ace will not be right on his game for what should be his last tilt at a World Cup title, one of the only achievements missing from his most impressive CV.
Dhoni, who is currently ranked the fourth-best one-day batsman in the world, will also be crucial to India's World Cup success.
A strong tournament from the swashbuckling Dhoni, who averages 45 with the bat in limited-overs cricket at the phenomenal strike rate of 98, would take some of the pressure off the big three.
The trio of Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly all feature in the top six run-scorers of all-time, and India will need them firing if they are to make their second successive World Cup final following the mauling they received at the hands of Australia in the 2003 decider.
On that day, Australian captain Ricky Ponting struck a blistering 140 off 121 balls as the world champions posted 2 for 359 from their 50 overs before bowling the Indians out for 234 inside 40 overs.
Australia tore the attack to pieces on that occasion and the Indian bowlers, although not boasting the big names of the batting line-up, are arguably the key to success this time around.
Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan head the pace attack with all-rounder Ajit Agarkar in tow, and the Indians boast two proven spinners in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
If the bowlers can restrict their opposition to scores of under 300 throughout the tournament, there is no batting line-up in the world, save for Australia, more capable of chasing down the totals.
Another interesting dynamic is the team's Australian coach Greg Chappell.
The former Test captain has not had the easiest time since taking over the reins in 2005, but of late appears to have the support of the public and of wayward former captain Ganguly.
Chappell has said strong performances out of at least seven of his 11 players throughout the tournament would go a long way towards securing the country's second World Cup.
If he can achieve this aim, few would be prepared to back against one of the most naturally talented sides in the tournament.
Squad
India: Rahul Dravid (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthick, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.
Source : http://www.abc.net.au
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