Do or die for Arnold, Chandana and Sehwag
India vs Sri Lanka, February 2007

After a long lay-off after the Champions Trophy, it's back to look at what the cricket World has in store for us. The World Cup is around the corner, and a few tournaments are going around, where teams are trying out different players who have been knocking on the selector's doors for a while. In the case for Australia, they just have too many people knocking and don't know who would get the nod. For England, its the same story. The problem however is different - either they're too inconsistent or get injured.

India, theoretically, should have the best team. They have millions to chose from. But they still are looking for that "killer" combination. The last tournament with West Indies has solved certain problems for a while. Sachin is back in form, which is probably the greatest news for them. For me however, in the batting department, the best news would be the re-emergence of the Prince of Calcutta. Ganguly has taken the opportunity given to him by the scruff, and he has become the most consistent batsman in the Indian line-up. These two along with Dravid, forms a trio of terror. Once these three click, there is no stopping them. The last one-dayer with the Windies proved that.

Uthappa showed his skill as well in the tournament, and along with Dhoni and the ever reliable Yuvraj the problems have been solved with the top 6 batsman. That leaves the big question - where does Sehwag fit in? He has been in terrible form lately, but with a few good knocks in the Domestic scene he has been given another chance to prove himself in the upcoming series with Sri Lanka. He will be however, placed in the middle order. Whether that works for him or not is left to be seen. But looks like he can't make any complaints and it's up to him to perform. His performance will decide whether he gets a ticket to the Caribbean or not.

The bowling department has its share of problems as well. With the exception of Zaheer Khan, whom I should also applaud for coming back into the team with a bang, there have been a range of bowlers who have tried and had their share of successes and failures. There are plans of bringing Kumble back in, and though he hasn't been among the wickets he has definitely stemmed the flow of runs many a time. Harbhajan Singh is not doing too bad, so it's left for some more seamers. Srisanth is a little inconsistent, and Munaf Patel has his share of injury-related problems. And Agarkar, well, things don't seem to get any better for him, though it does look like he will be playing in the World Cup because the selectors do show some faith in him.

The main problem however, lies in Sehwag - where in the world would they place him in the team?

In Sri Lanka's case, the selectors seem happy with the way things have gone over the last few months. The top order seems in good shape. Sanath is showing that the monster that was there in '96 is still there, and with Tharanga, Mahela, Atapattu and Sangakkara, the batting order for the first 5 names will be unchanged.

The bowling department seems to be untroubled as well, though I really feel that Dilhara shouldn't be in the first 11. He is being titled as a wicket-taker, but what's the use of him taking one or two wickets when he gives around 5 to 6 runs per over as well?

I think that with Vaas, Malinga and Murali, Sri Lanka has a strong core in the bowling. And with the Sanath able to bowl a few tidy overs, its left for one or two more bowlers to fill the team card. Mahroof is a handy all-rounder, but a little inconsistent. Other bowlers have been tested before, but when a player is a "test" in the Lankan team, he isn't generally being taken serious.

So eight names are cemented in the line-up. Probable Dilhara will make the ninth, though of course I have objections. The selectors had opted for another bowler (Mahroof most of the times) and Dilshan to fill in the remaining two gaps. Dilshan is , without doubt, one of the best fielders around. His batting however is not convincing. That was why Chamara Silva was tried in New Zealand. He did well in the Test arena, but not in the one dayers and I think he is better suited to Tests.

So I guess thats why Arnold and Chandana are included in the team thats going to play India in a few days time. In my view, Arnold is one of the most reliable batsman Sri Lanka have. He may have had his bad patches, but he is a fighter. What really troubles me is why they dropped him from the team when he was one of the best batsman in the tri-series tournament in Australia early last year. That was really unfair i felt, and I really hope that he does well in India, because he really deserves to be in the World Cup team. He can bowl a few handy overs too, and is a good fielder too. So for me, if its not Dilshan, its Arnold.

And then comes Chandana. What a roller-coaster ride it has been for him. At times he was irreplaceable. At times, he was totally forgotten. He may not be in the same calibre as a Michael Hussey, but he is a very handy one-day player, and a fantastic fielder too. I feel that he could be the perfect man for that last spot in the Lankan team. Its up to him to prove it to the selectors.

With Vaas and Murali rested for this series, it looks like Lanka are trying to figure out which bowlers will make it to the West Indies next month. I hope that Arnold and Chandana will get a place on that plane as well.

Well, it's do or die for them, and Sehwag as well. The first match is scheduled for the 8th of this month.