Pakistan's former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has said the Indian selectors have "committed a blunder" by ignoring experienced cricketers Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh for the upcoming ODI World Cup. According to Qadir, 59, the presence of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh would have given the team liberty to play with four regular bowlers.
"I was surprised to see that but Asian teams have this habit of committing blunders. If you have players like Sehwag and Yuvraj in the team, it not only pressurises the opposition bowlers but also gives the option of playing with four regular bowlers," Qadir said. While Sehwag set the tone for India's triumphal march to the title in the 2011 World Cup with a scintillating century in the tournament opener in Dhaka, Yuvraj was awarded the Man of the Series for his all-round display.
"Yuvraj had bowled brilliantly in the last World Cup where he was also the player of the tournament. I would have also liked to see leg spinners like Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla in the team since India does not have intimidating pace bowlers," said the former chief selector of PCB. Qadir feels only one Asian team will make the semifinals of the quadrennial extravaganza. Grouped in Pool B, India and Pakistan will open their campaign when they lock horns on February 15.
"I think that Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will reach the last four and the last team will be from Asian subcontinent provided England does not give them serious competition," Qadir said. "The outcome of India-Pakistan match will decide their future in the tournament. It will boost the morale of the winning team and give an additional edge as well. It will surely be a final before the final," Qadir added.
Indian players will be tired and they are also away from home for so long. They must be missing home," Qadir said. "They should have been sent back home for a short break after the tri-series so that they can start afresh." he said. "There is no doubt that Dhoni is one of the best captains today but he cannot defend the World Cup title alone.
The other 10 players also have to give their best. I was watching a match in the tri-series and was disappointed to see the way Kohli and Raina got out. Match winners like them should perform better," he said. msd, Ishant on field trip New Delhi: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has decided to completely unwind and take his mind away from cricket before the ICC World Cup as he along with three teammates have left for an adventure park in the outskirts of Adelaide on a “two-day trekking and fishing trip”.
The wicketkeeper-batsman along with injured pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and stand-by pacer Mohit Sharma has set off for the pleasure trip while a couple of other players have left for different cities to meet their relatives. "Dhoni, Bhuvi, Ishant and Mohit have gone to an artificial 'Adventure Sport Park', which is around 150 kms from Adelaide. The particular 'Adventure Sport Park' has all facilities like trekking, fishing and boating. They will be there for two days and back in on February 5," a senior BCCI official said.