Starting XI
IPL is over. Teams are back. India team is back too after being fragmented to ROyals, Kings, Indians(fake), Knight Riders, Chargers and stuff like that. India play their first game in T20 world cup against Bangaladesh, the nemesis who threw them out of the World Cup 2007. Since then a lot has changed. Though BD still aims it can humble the Indians again, I dont think thats possible. As a part of demotivating the BD team, the KKRs played Mourtaza in that IPL game and he got Appam’ed (Sreesanth term for being hit) for 26 runs in final (or 24) over. Asharful didnt get a game until MI’s last, so he is pissed too. Pissed and demotivated people dont make great teams.
My starting XI for India’s 1st game :
1) Sehwag
2) Gambhir
3) Raina
4) YUvraj
5) Dhoni
6) Sharma
7) Y Pathan
8) I Pathan
9) RP Singh
10) Harbu
11) Zaheer / Praveen (if Zaks is fit)
Can somebody beat this team ? Formidable.
Switch Hit 
I gave up any hopes once I didn’t see Uthappa selected in the squad. This is a catastrophe!!! Just kidding 🙂
Good looking starting XI on paper. That will most probably be the line-up we see, I guess! Capability to bat all the way to no. 8, and having 5 players capable of bowling(RS, Raina, Viru, Yuvraj, Y.Pathan) other than the 4 regular choices for bowlers (I.Pathan, RP, Harbhajan, Zaheer/PK).
Fark
May 28, 2009 at 8:11 am
That is a fantastic team. I think they have to be considered as the favourites.
Top site by the way. Really enjoy reading it. Would you be able to email me when you get the chance?
Thanks a lot,
Thomas
guestblogger
May 28, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Ojha for Teri Maaki
and swap Dhoni and Rohit.
Cheers
Late Inswing
May 29, 2009 at 4:03 am
@Late Swing
I think Dhoni’s a big believer of your mother (i mean teri maaki 🙂 )
and wouldn’t take him out for ohja.
Fark
May 29, 2009 at 8:24 am
Realise it Fark.Only too well.
But hope springs eternal 🙂
Late Inswing
May 29, 2009 at 8:47 am
As long as you do my friend.
Do any of you think that anyone else will get a look in if Viru-Gambhir don’t strike in the first 2-3 games ? Outside of 1-2 innings, both the players (as good as they are) have been a little underwhelming in form of late. I doubt they will be left out of the XI though. But just a question up for debate.
@late – left you a couple of comments at your blog man. terrific stuff you’ve got there.
Fark
May 29, 2009 at 9:17 am
DK – to double up as opener and a reserve keeper. Versatile cricketer.
BCCI should send him to the blighty in post haste. Esp keeping in view how he rescued DD time and again. Bonus he has succeeded in opening in England( though in a vastly different format) but he is a confidence player and would do adequately
Late Inswing
May 29, 2009 at 9:23 am