Class of 2003 mainstay for 2007

Even Indian skipper Dravid said: 8220;The World Cup will be decided not on anything else but how the 6-7 key players perform and are supported by others. Those 6-7 players have always been certainties. If I can come back and say that those players have had a good World Cup, then it8217;ll be a good tournament for us.8221;

But there are a few problems the Indians need to sor out. Sehwag, the middle order bat, hasn8217;t been convincing. Kumble the one-day spinner needs to tie the loose ends, and post-surgery Yuvraj Singh hasn8217;t had a long stint.

However, Vengsarkar, who started his tenure with a candid confession about the dearth of international quality talent in the country, seems to be of the view that out-of-form and less than 100 per cent fit seniors are better than juniors with potential.

Suresh Raina is a prime example. Despite repeated chances, he failed to clear the 30-40 range. So is Ramesh Powar: failing to impress during the West Indian tour.

Dravid had a word of consolation for them. 8220;Suresh, Ramesh would consider themselves unlucky. In the end there8217;d always be one-two disappointed people. But you8217;ve got to grab the opportunities that come your way. If you are always on the borderline, and there are always questions on your place, it gets difficult,8221; he said.

And with Raina and RP Singh included as back up for the two remaining games against Sri Lanka, the decision makers made it clear they still happen to be in the scheme of things.

There are two youngsters who have grabbed their chances. Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Kaarthick have achieved the task of breaking into the top-heavy Indian batting line-up. 8220;Kaarthick and Robin were always players on the periphery. Robin8217;s done extremely well and so has Kaarthick,8221; said Dravid.

The biggest problem that this Dad8217;s Army faces is fielding, since barring Kaarthick, Robin and Agarkar, there aren8217;t many quick movers in the field. 8220;What we might lack in fielding, we need to make up with the bat and ball,8221; said the skipper.

In the days to come it will be clear if the overburdened ageing stars will be able to combine the last flicker of their flames to increase the temperature at the World Cup. We have been made to believe that form is temporary but class is permanent. Looking at the nine repeat World Cuppers it certainly shows that the class is permanent 8212; Class of 2003 to Class of 2007.

RAHUL DRAVID
captain Middle order bat

ODIs: 308, Runs: 9978
100s: 12, 50s: 76
Highest: 153
Since January 2006: 33 m 32 inn 2 no 105 hs 1135 agg 37.83 avg
World Cup: 19 m 18 inn 6 no 145 hs 779 agg 64.92 avg.The skipper is still India8217;s best bet on foreign soil. If India has to win back the Cup after 24 years, a lot will depend on Mr Dependable.

SACHIN TENDULKAR
vice-captain Now fortifies the middle-order

ODIs: 380, Runs: 14782
100s: 41, 50s: 76 Highest: 186
Since Jan 2006: 22 m 21 inn 3 no 141 hs 873 agg 48.5 avg
World Cup: 33 m 32 inn 3 no 152 hs 1732 agg 59.72 avg.

The Master Blaster8217;s scalp remains the most prized for any opposition. There may not be repetition of inventions like the uppercut that he used with great effect at South Africa 2003, but underestimate him at your own risk.

SOURAV GANGULY Opening bat
ODIs: 284, Runs: 10364
100s: 22, 50s: 63 Highest: 183
Since January 2006: 5 m 4 inn 0 no 98 hs 241 agg 60.25 avg
World Cup: 18m 18-inn 3no 183hs 844 agg 56.27 avg

In the middle of a fairy-tale comeback, silenced his critics with his batting and attitude. India will be looking at the former skipper for that spark at the top of the order.

ANIL KUMBLE Leg spin

ODIs: 270, Runs: 938; Wickets: 334 Five-for: 2, Best: 6/12
Wickets: 547
Since Jan 2006: 6 m 5 wick 252 runs 2/27 best 50.4 avg
World Cup: 17 m 28 wick 670 runs 4/32 best 23.93

India will be hoping that Jumbo repeats the success that he had in the Caribbeans earlier this year.

VIRENDER SEHWAG Middle order expected

ODIs: 165, Runs: 4775
100s: 7, 50s: 24 Highest: 130
Since Jan 2006: 26 m 25 inn 1 no 97 hs 627 agg 25.08 avg
World Cup: 11m 11 inn 0 no 82 hs 299 agg 27.18 avg

Short on confidence after a string of failures, World Cup is the Delhi dasher8217;s last chance for redemption. He also has to live up to Dravid8217;s confidence in him.

AJIT AGARKAR A trier, and the best bet at death

ODIs: 178,
Runs: 1240;
Wickets: 270
Five-for: 2,
Best: 6/42
Since January 2006: 28m 38 wick 1077 runs 3/45 best 28.34 avg
World Cup: 3 m 3 wicks 162runs 1/35 54.01 avg

A persistent trier, always under the scanner. His experience will be vital to the side especially at death

HARBHAJAN SINGH Right arm off-spin

ODIs: 145, Runs: 687,
Wickets: 168
Five-for: 2, Best: 5/31
Since January 2006: 28 m 30 wick 1027 runs 5/31 best 34.23 avg
World Cup: 10 m 11 wickets 335 runs 2/28 best 30.45 avg

India8217;s tweaker No. 1 in the limited version will be expected to reap a rich harvest on Caribbean turf, being dubbed as slow.

YUVRAJ SINGH Middle order dasher

ODIs: 161, Runs: 4296
100s: 7 50s: 25 Highest: 139
Since January 2006: 24m 22 inn 5 no 107 hs 859 agg 50.52 avg
World Cup: 11m 10 inn 3 no 58 hs 240 agg 34.29 avg

Making a comeback after a freak injury cut short his purple patch, Yuvraj8217;s performance with the bat and in the field will be vital indicators of Indian chances.

ZAHEER KHAN New ball bowler

ODIs: 115, Runs: 490,
Wickets: 165 Five-for: 0,
Best: 4/19
Since January 2006: 12m 13 wick 478 runs 3/42 best 36.76 avg
World Cup: 11m 18 wick 374runs 4/42 best 20.78 avg

Hopefully the born-again 8216;Zak8217; is as good as he ever was. A vital cog in Indian pace attack, the experienced left- armer is a force to reckon with still.

IRFAN PATHAN Left arm pacer, left-hand bat

ODIs: 73, Runs: 1006,
Wickets: 115 Five-for: 1,
Best: 5/27
Since January 2006: 25m 21inn 4 no 65 hs 393 agg 23.12 avg 36 wicks 25.86 avg
World Cup: Yet to play

India8217;s only all-rounder in the true sense is going through the leanest patch of his life. Only Pathan knows what to expect from him; may be a surprise.

M S DHONI Wicketkeeper, middle-order dasher

ODIs: 64, Runs: 1891
100s: 2 50s: 11 Highest: 183
Catches: 60; Stumping: 12
Since January 2006: 34m 30 inn 8 no 96 hs 977 agg 44.40avg
World Cup: Yet to play

The swashbuckler was instrumental in scripting India8217;s amazing run in 2006. India would need his services as a finisher more than ever before.

MUNAF PATEL New ball operator

ODIs: 16, Runs: 6; Wickets: 21
Five-for: 0 Best: 4/49
Since January 2006: 16 m 21 wicks 590runs 4/49 best 28.10 avg
World Cup: Yet to play

If fit, a mean and difficult customer to get away with. But a big 8216;if8217; precedes his name almost always.

S SREESANTH Right arm pace

ODIs: 26, Wickets: 34
Five for: 1 Best: 6/55
Since January 2006: 22 m 30 wicks 1023 runs 6/55 best 34.10 avg
World Cup: Yet to play

On a high after recent success, if he can channelise his aggro, nothing can be a better news for India.

ROBIN UTHAPPA Opening bat

ODIs: 7, Runs: 203
100s: 0, 50s: 2 Highest: 86
Since January 2006: 7 m 6 inn 0 no 86 hs 203 agg 33.83 avg
World Cup: Yet to play

Seen as a replacement for Sehwag, the well-built opener has got the ammunition but can he deliver at the biggest stage? Was the highest scorer in the just-concluded Ranji season.

DINESH KAARTHICK Middle-order bat

ODIs: 11, Runs: 145
100s: 0, 50s: 1 highest: 63
Catches: 10, Stumping: 2
Since January 2006: 9 m 6 inn 0 no 63hs 144 runs 24.00 avg
World Cup: Yet to play. An earnest trier and that is what skipper Dravid expects from him.

Compiled by Aditya Kumar