The final Indian squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 has been on public recently. The squad included only three middle order batsmen in which two of them are not specialist middle order batsman and two of them are struggling with injury. On the other hand, the squad has four specialist openers. So, it seems that the squad lacks of balance in the batting line up. Yuvraj Singh is the only man who is a real middle order batsman but since last ICC Champions Trophy he has been out of International cricket. Other two middle order batsmen are not idle for middle order. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Wicker keeper) and strike bowler Irfan Pathan are idle for slog overs and the team can only expect some cameo innings from them, not more than that.
I became astonished that Indian selectors did not think about experienced VVS Laxman and Mohammed Kaif; even they were not given a chance to prove their form. I think there is no doubt about their class as they have proved their potential many times. They just to need to prove their present form but to do this you have to get a chance which they did not get in the last series.
I think both Kaif and Yuvraj had a big impact on the batting line up in the last world cup 2003 and that was one of the most important reasons behind India’s excellent performance in that tournament. Yuvraj is an attacking batsman whereas Kaif is a batsman who can play on singles. So, the two middle order batsmen brought a perfect balance to the batting line up. I think this is very much important to have at least two specialist middle order batsman in the batting line up. It is not possible for the openers or one down or two down batsmen to click every day because it is cricket and you can not do well in every match. That is why, two specialist middle order batsman is badly needed for a good batting line up in order to protect any crucial situation and also take the score in a competitive total.
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