A Look at the Defending ICC Champions

June 9, 2009

A Look at the Defending ICC Champions

ICC indian cricket team

Last world cup they were not favorites at all but they manage to turn the odds in their favor, India now have a humongous task in England. They start the round one with low ranking teams and are sure to qualify to the next level. MSD and his men will face the first major challenge when they reach the supper eight. Dhoni’s men have an excellent track record on paper, but the question remains- Can they do it again?

They were defeated in the first warm-up game but won the second game easily, to MSD’s respite came in Rohit Sharma who filled in for the injured Sehwag. There has been some positives on the bowling front too with some good performances by the likes of Ishant Sharma. To all Indian fans we have just one thing to say,

“Hope that MSD’s magical captaincy run continues”.

MS Dhoni: Age – 27 Captain Cool – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 1. One of the most deadly batsman in the world and not to forget his wicket keeping skills. He has changed the way India plays ODI and is also known for his out of the box thinking.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
13	215	45	23.88	0	103.86	-	-	-	-

Virender Sehwag: Age – 30 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 7.Is rated amongst the most devastating opening batsman in the world, can hit an excellent delivery to the boundary with ease. The only danger he faces, is from himself as at times he goes after the wrong deliveries. He is also an excellent part-time bowling option.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
12	223	68	20.27	1	144.80	0	-	-	20.0

Gautam Gambhir: Age – 27 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 16. A complete T20 player, he can change his role according to the requirement and is excellent on the field. He opens the innings for the country in all forms of the game. His consistency will be key to India’s success in the tournament.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
12	328	75	29.81	4	126.64	0	-	-	-

Yuvraj Singh: Age – 27 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 4. A complete T20 player and is best remembered for his 6 sixes in one over in the last world cup against England. Once Yuvi starts hitting, there is nothing that can stop him, certainly one of the most dangerous batsman in the Indian side.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
10	262	70	32.75	3	164.77	2	36.00	1-17	12.00

Suresh Raina: Age – 22 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 31. An excellent middle order batsman and also considered as one of the best fielders in the Indian squad. His also an excellent part-time bowling option. He is coming to the world cup after an impressive performance in the recently concluded IPL.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
5	5	61	36.33	1	126.75	-	-	-	-

Rohit Sharma: Age – 22

Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – N/A. An excellent middle order batsman and in the last two T20 warm-up games has proved that he can open the Indian innings too. He was one of the key contributors towards the Hyderabad side which lifted the IPL. His also an excellent part-time bowling option and has had good success on that front too in IPL.

Matches

Runs

Avg

Wkts

Avg

Best

107

50*

35.66

122.98

Yusuf Pathan: Age – 26 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – N/A. He is someone who can tarnish the bowling attack and is very effective in the ending over’s. He can hit the ball really big and is an effective bowling option.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
4	57	22*	19.00	0	203.57	2	32.50	2-23	8.29

Harbhajan Singh: Age – 28 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 23. Terbinator was confused about his role in the Mumbai side in the concluded IPL but under MSD he has always risen to the occasion and performed. Bhaji is also a good striker of the ball and comes handy in the slog over’s.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
12	30	21	7.50	0	85.71	11	23.81	2-24	6.55

Praveen Kumar: Age – 22 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 27. Bowls wicket to wicket and keeps his line tight which sometimes make him difficult to play. He also has the ability to swing the ball at a descent pace and also comes handy with the bat.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
1	6	6	6.00	0	60.00	1	15	1-15	7.50

Zaheer Khan: Age – 30 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 16. He the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack but at present recovering a shoulder injury he received during an IPL match. He might be fully fit by the start of the tournament and will provide an edge to the Indian attack.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
4	-	-	-	-	-	4	24.75	2-1	6.19

Ishant Sharma: Age – 20 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 41. He has not been impressive in the IPL but had a great outing in the warm-up game against New Zealand where he took four wickets. He is the fastest bowler in the Indian attack and is expected to perform better on English pitches.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
4	3	3*	-	-	50.00	2	51.00	1-35	9.00

RP Singh: Age – 23 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 67. He has been the most successful bowler in the recently concluded IPL. He is an effective user of the new ball and gives MSD options to use him in the absence of Zahir Khan.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
8	1	1*	-	-	100.00	13	14.69	4-13	6.82

Irfan Pathan: Age – 24 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 66. Had a good show at the IPL with both bat and the ball. Irfan is trying to make a comeback and is trying to get back to his old bowling speed and swing. But if he has to cement his place in the side he has to show consistency.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
13	120	33*	30.00	0	120	15	22.93	3-16	7.81

Ravindra Jadeja: Age – 20 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – N/A. He is an excellent fielder, a useful bowler and can be effective in the slog over’s. But with so many options in front of MSD, it is difficult for him to find a place in the playing eleven.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
2	24	19	12.00	0	104.34	-	-	-	6.25

Pragyan Ojha: Age – 22 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 83. He is an excellent left-arm spinner and has shown good results in his last few appearances, but will MSG find a place in the playing eleven is a tough question.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best	ER
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