India World Cup 2007 squad penpix by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 24th February 2007

 

Rahul Dravid (RHB/RAOB/capt)
Age: 34. ODI appearances: 310. First cap: v SRI, Singapore, April 3, 1996
Once considered unsuited for one-day cricket because of his slow batting, he has done remarkably well to become only the sixth batsman in history to score 10,000 runs in the shorter version of the game.
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Sachin Tendulkar (RHB/RALB)
Age: 33. ODI appearances: 381. First cap: v PAK, Gujranwala, Dec 18, 1989
The most successful batsman in one-day history is desperate to win the World Cup for India in his fifth, and possibly last, appearance in cricket's showpiece event. Once again, he holds the key to India's fortunes.
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Ajit Agarkar (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 29. ODI appearances: 180. First cap: v AUS, Kochi, April 1, 1998
He promised much as the fastest to 50 one-day wickets in history but was not consistent enough with bat and ball to hold a permanent place. He returns now as India's best bowler at the death.
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni (RHB/WK)
Age: 25. ODI appearances: 66. First cap: v BAN, Chittagong, Dec 23, 2004
The swashbuckling batsman is one of the better lower order hitters in the game and also has the dual role of keeping wickets. There is not a dull moment when he is around.
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Sourav Ganguly (LHB/RAM)
Age: 34. ODI appearances: 286. First cap: v WIS, Brisbane, Jan 11, 1992
The Greg Chappell saga is all but forgotten as he returns fitter and hungrier for runs. His vast experience will benefit India with both bat and ball, so will his advice as a former captain who led India into the World Cup final in 2003.
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Harbhajan Singh (RHB/RAOB)
Age: 26. ODI appearances: 147. First cap: v NZL, Sharjah, April 17, 1998
He is expected to be the first-choice spinner at the World Cup ahead of Anil Kumble because he is younger and fitter and bowls a mean spell.
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Dinesh Karthick (RHB/WK)
Age: 21. ODI appearances: 13. First cap: v ENG, Lord's, Sept 5, 2004
The reserve wicket-keeper was considered to be good enough with the bat to take a World Cup spot ahead of the proven Venkatsai Laxman. Faces a tough task to justify his selection.
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Zaheer Khan (RHB/LAFM)
Age: 28. ODI appearances: 117. First cap: v KEN, Nairobi, Oct 3, 2000
Like Ganguly, he has made a startling comeback this season to become the lynchpin of India's bowling at the World Cup. A stint with Worcestershire last season made him a better bowler.
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Anil Kumble (RHB/RALB)
Age: 36. ODI appearances: 270. First cap: v SRI, Sharjah, April 25, 1990
India's most successful bowler in both Test and one-day cricket, he wants to prove that limited-overs matches are not only for the young.
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Munaf Patel (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 23. ODI appearances: 17. First cap: v ENG, Goa, April 3, 2006
Once a tearaway who sprayed the ball around, he learnt the benefits of keeping a good line and length to emerge a frontline India bowler. Needs to stay injury-free to keep India's hopes alive.
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Irfan Pathan (LHB/LAFM)
Age: 22. ODI appearances: 73. First cap: v AUS, Melbourne, Jan 9, 2004
Once the blue-eyed boy of coach Greg Chappell, he fell out of favour after a poor run with both bat and ball, only to return for the World Cup in the absence of an able replacement.
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Virender Sehwag (RHB/RAOB)
Age: 28. ODI appearances: 167. First cap: v PAK, Mohali, April 1, 1999
Like Pathan, he was sacked from the team after continued poor form and made it to the World Cup only because the captain felt the hard-hitting batsman was too invaluable to be kept at home.
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Shanthakumaran Sreesanth (RHB/RAFM)
Age: 24. ODI appearances: 27. First cap: v SRI, Nagpur, Oct 25, 2005
The robust seamer is regarded by many as a better Test match bowler, but has lately learnt the value of sacrificing pace for accuracy. Is expected to lend firepower to the Indian attack.
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Robin Uthappa (RHB)
Age: 21. ODI appearances: 8. First cap: v ENG, Indore, April 15, 2006
An opener who bats with the aim to hit every ball out of the ground. May not always succeed but India think he is a risk worth taking.
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Yuvraj Singh (LHB/SLA)
Age: 25. ODI appearances: 163. First cap: v KEN, Nairobi, Oct 3, 2000
All India heaved a sigh of relief when he returned to form in the recent Sri Lanka series after battling knee and back injuries. His aggressive batting and agile fielding make him a World Cup certainity.
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(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)