ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: India Final XI with 3 Spinners?

With the two practice matches over, it’s time for Team India to decide on its playing XI. Its true that the composition of the team will vary according to the pitch conditions. But with the most of the wickets favoring spin its not going to be an easy job for the team management to select the playing XI.

In the two practice matches played the Indian batsmen have shown contrasting displays. But it looks stable with most of the batsmen making runs in either of the matches. The only question in the otherwise decided batting order is Yuvraj/Raina – who will number 5. Yuvraj is definitely a match winner on his day and is also a handy bowler. Raina has proved his credentials scoring a quick 50 in the match against Newzealand. Yuvraj might just make the XI considering his bowling skills.

It is in the bowling department that India has problems. The pace attack has looked out of sorts. It does not look like the attack we saw in South Africa where the pitches offered some help to the bowlers. Sreesanth looked good in the first practice match. But he was taken to cleaners by Mccullum and Co. Munaf Patel and Ashish Nehra have barely bowled 15 overs between them and have gone for plenty. Luckily Zak will be fresh for the game against Bangladesh. He was sorely missed in the 2 matches. Meanwhile on the spinning front team India is having a problem of plenty. Chawla has mesmerized batsman with his variations. Ashwin has come home with decent figures despite bowling within power-play. Bhajji has got back his rhythm and bite and has been among wickets. It will be interesting to see who finally plays in the XI against Bangladesh. I wouldn’t be surprised if India go with a 3 spinners and Zak if the pitch offers some hint of spin.

With the World Cup to start in 3 days time we are surely in for a treat. Hope the Cup is ours this time.