It looks quite balanced

The were no surprises in the announcement of the Indian team for the World Cup in the West Indies. On the face of it, it looks balanced: a good mix of experience and youth.

Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan were the only two doubtful inclusions. Now that the selectors have retained their faith in them despite their lack of form, it is up to them to live up to the challenge.

Had the selectors opted for players based on current form rather than experience, then Gautam Gambhir would have got the nod over Sehwag. What the selectors seem to have considered is Sehwag's ability to bat at any position coupled with his usefulness as a change bowler.

Yuvraj Singh has been selected on his past form. Having recovered from an injury that kept him away from international cricket for nearly three months, he has played only two matches.

The Pathan factor

Pathan has yet to regain both form and confidence. His ability to bat could have gone in his favour even if he does not do too well with the ball. But what India needs at this juncture is a match-winning bowler.

Fortunately, the selectors did not bungle on Sreesanth this time like in the Champions Trophy. He was quite impressive during the tour of the West Indies. But the pick among the bowlers seems to be Zaheer Khan who is in ominous nick.

Munaf Patel too returns from an injury and must emerge as India's main strike bowler. Veteran Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh are undoubtedly the two best spinners in India.

Mohammad Kaif could have been considered as a fielder, but Dinesh Karthik is equally quick on the field and has done better than Kaif as a batsman.

VVS Laxman's inability to field well seems to have gone against him yet again.

It is now skipper Rahul Dravid's task to mould them into a winning unit.