Dravid named in 30 man probable squad but Irfan left out

[SciD]

Rahul Dravid has another chance to make comeback in ODI cricket. It seems selectors have had enough of nonsense at number 3 for last 1 and half year since Dravid was ignored.

But what's unexpected is that Irfan is not in 30 man squad. He's lost bowling but still he is in top 30 ODI players India can have this time.

 

[Leggie]

Apparently it's because he can play short balls. Lol, drastic action taken from the BCCI.

Stick him in place of Rohit.

 

[Gary123]

Don't Know why Irfan Pathan isn't included:
He is really utility all-rounder.
He should have been there.
But Happy to see Rahul in the Probables.

 

[shravi]

:banana2 Good move but it's still only a 30 man squad. He'll be left out of the final 15 or whatever it is.

 

[Leggie]

I don't see the point in putting a class player like Dravid in a squad if you're not going to use him. I reckon he'll play.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Nice to see him back in, he should be in the team still. I doubt he'll make the next cut though as selecting would only be a step backwards when India have all these talented youngsters.

 

[shravi]

Nice to see him back in, he should be in the team still. I doubt he'll make the next cut though as selecting would only be a step backwards when India have all these talented youngsters.

I don't think so. It might just be the kick up the backside that they need. Telling them that they still have a lot to work on.

 

[Insomniac]

It's about time the Indian selectors came to their senses - you can't leave out a batsman of the class of Dravid. I hope Pakistan realize that too and don't drop Yousuf for the ODIs.

 

[ali_ed2001]

Why would they leave Irfan Pathan out?? He can bat, and is very good in swinging conditions, which is what it will be in South Africa.

 

[Howsie]

Apparently it's because he can play short balls. Lol, drastic action taken from the BCCI.

Stick him in place of Rohit.

About time.

 

[McLOVIN]

when was the last time Sachin played ODI?

is he in 30? i think Sachin and Viru should open, GG #3, Dravid #4, then those kids

 

[SaiSrini]

Very good decision from the selectors. Dravid has displayed very good form in the IPL (both IPL's). He can stilll easily score at a strike rate of close to 100 (over 100 too, at times). He is rock steady in times of collapses and will also keep the scoreboard ticking.

I would be delighted if Dravid is picked for the final 15. I dont see Badrinath ever playing for India again, and Dravid is not done yet. Its not a backward step (there is nothing called a backward step unless the player is still fit and fighting for his spot). Also in the fielding, these young players try fancy things and end up with egg in their faces. Dravid is of the old school. He is a safe fielder and a very good catcher in slips (in the infield too, he is a safe catcher). he had a bad time in the ODI's when he played last and that reflected in his fielding and made him look like a below average fielder.

Waiting for Jammy's ODI return. What a circle he would have gone through! Hope to see him in Indian ODI colours.

saisrini80 added 1 Minutes and 24 Seconds later...

Why would they leave Irfan Pathan out?? He can bat, and is very good in swinging conditions, which is what it will be in South Africa.

Irfan hasnt displayed great bowling form in recent times. In the IPL in a few innings, he was good but mostly he was rubbish. Even when he got swing, he couldnt really translate that into wickets. I guess Irfan is finished as a bowler, and we dont really need his batting when we have other options. Nehra is expensive, but he picks up wickets too when needed.

 

[ajdude]

I reckon VVS Laxman is missing out; he's played one FP Trophy match, for 54 runs, at an average of 54, SR of 70.12, and 3 T20 cup matches, for 159 runs, high score of 79*, 2 fifties and a SR of 132.5. Not too bad, but then again, it's only from four matches in total.

 

[karnog]

Like it, Like it a lot.
My final 16 would be:
Batters: Dhoni, Sehwag, Gambhir,Yuvraj, Sachin, Dravid, Raina, Karthik
Bowlers: Bhajji, Zaheer, Kumar, Nehra, Ishant, Ohja, Munaf Patel
All-rounders: Yusuf Pathan
Back up for injured players: Kohli, Vijay, Saha and RP Singh

 

[SaiSrini]

I reckon VVS Laxman is missing out; he's played one FP Trophy match, for 54 runs, at an average of 54, SR of 70.12, and 3 T20 cup matches, for 159 runs, high score of 79*, 2 fifties and a SR of 132.5. Not too bad, but then again, it's only from four matches in total.

Laxman is far slower than Dravid in batting, and also he is a very sluggish fielder. You can only keep him in the slips and thats not a good thing for the team when you already have Sachin and Dravid.

One more thing with Dravid's comeback could be that it might let Dhoni go back to his old marauding game. Dhoni has taken up the responsibility of the sheet anchor in the middle order due to lack of other options. But with Dravid's comeback, Dhoni could possibly go back to his blasting days because you cant have too many anchors in a team (Sachin at times becomes an anchor, Dravid is one and Dhoni would make it too many to count). I have already started imagining an Indian XI with Dravid in it

Virender Sehwag
Sachin Tendulkar
Gautam Gambhir
Rahul Dravid
Yuvraj Singh
MS Dhoni
SK Raina/Yusuf Pathan
Harbhajan Singh
Zaheer Khan
RP Singh
Ishant Sharma

RP for the South African conditions, Ishant for the right hand variety (I dont have too much confidence in Kumar). If you need more bowling, have Yusuf or you can have Raina (he is as big a hitter, and can also bowl the 5th bowler's quota along with Yuvraj and Sehwag). If Sehwag isnt fit, then remove him from the top and fit in Yusuf Pathan just before Harbhajan Singh.