The Hindu : My 15... Madan Lal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 20, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

My 15... Madan Lal

This exercise of selecting a team brings back some fond memories for me. Memories of playing the World Cup in 1983 when we shook the cricketing world and then picking the last World Cup side as one of the National selectors — tough assignments both.

When we pick a team a lot of factors come into focus. The temperament of a player, his overall skills, ability to perform consistently, and of course his utility value. And above all his character to excel on the big stage. Having experienced the atmosphere myself, I can tell you that the World Cup demands your best. I have considered all these aspects while selecting my 15 for the World Cup.

Some players simply pick themselves and some find a place after a debate. I will not go into the pros and cons in a detailed manner but try and offer a simple analysis. While selecting my 15, I have laid emphasis on picking match-winners. A number 11 can win a match with the bat and your best batsman can change the course of a match with a crucial wicket.

I pick Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif and Dinesh Mongia as my seven batsmen. There need not be any discussion regarding Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Sehwag. They are the strength of India's batting today.

Yuvraj and Kaif have done enough to merit selection. They are young and committed and lift the fielding standards to a new high. Dravid has done phenomenal service to Indian cricket by taking over the responsibility of keeping wickets and batting at any position.

He is the most selfless cricketer in the team, a wonderful team-man, and a great asset. He will be a key factor in our World Cup campaign.

As far as Mongia is concerned, he wins the race against V.V.S. Laxman for the simple reason that he is a better fielder and an attacking batsman with lot of potential.

Sanjay Bangar is the only genuine all-rounder available and commands a place because of his commitment to the team. He is one cricketer who understands his limitations and plays within them.

The best two spinners_Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble_walk into the team on the basis of their abilities and experience.

Kumble may not be at his best but he will be the man to watch at the Cup. I know his motivation will be to win matches and the pitches in South Africa suit his style.

I have picked four seamers. Javagal Srinath has to spearhead the attack because of his experience and the fact that he is still the best of the lot. Zaheer Khan is improving slowly and if completely fit, can cause problems for the opposition.

Ajit Agarkar has been inconsistent of late but then we have little choice. He has a good arm and can contribute with the bat. Now comes the surprise element_Avishkar Salvi. I know he is an accurate bowler and that is what I am looking for to complete the attack. A bowler who can keep the ball wicket to wicket, and Salvi is my man.

My 15th member is Ajay Ratra. He is a talented wicketkeeper and a reasonably good batsman with a Test century to push his case.

My team: Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Dinesh Mongia, Sanjay Bangar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Ajay Ratra and Avishkar Salvi.

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