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NEWS Cricket World Cup 2007>Sehwag, Pathan make it to the World Cup squad 12th Feb 2007 22.29 IST By Agencies The national selectors gambled on an out-of-form batsman Virender Sehwag and all-rounder Irfan Pathan by including them in India's 15-member World Cup squad, which contains no surprises from the team that has performed with mixed results for the past one year. Both Sehwag and Pathan have been woefully out of touch for a long time but still managed to get the nod based on their past record and match-winning abilities.
"Sehwag has played in different positions and has the ability to play in different conditions, it's a challenge for him. The onus is on him after being given a chance by the selectors," said Dravid who along with coach Greg Chappell attended the selection meeting in Mumbai. "Sehwag has got to perform. It's not that I am supporting him, it's just about getting the right combination for the World Cup. It's not a personal issue, it's about whether one can perform in the given conditions." The squad, which has Sachin Tendulkar as vice-captain, contains two specialist spinners and five seamers. The team has two wicketkeepers, with Dinesh Kaarthick also finding a berth on the basis of his batting form. Expressing satisfaction about the composition of the team, Dravid said that the senior players have to "stand up and be counted" for India to be successful at the mega event. "It is about form and performances, how well we perform at the World Cup. The focus would be there," he said. "At the end of the day it is important how well you play in the World Cup. If six to seven players have a good tournament then we will have a good World Cup. "Many guys in the team realise that it is their last shot at the World Cup. These players in particular would be keen to stand up and be counted." Dravid, who will feature in his third World Cup, said the team had a fine blend of youth and experience, and the tour to the West Indies last year should be of help. "We must look at different combinations heading into the World Cup. I am satisfied with the balance of the team and confident about the group," he said. "We have played lot of cricket and experience of having played in West Indies would be good to us. "We are quite confident of doing well in the World Cup, play well in the Super Eight stage and make the semis. From there on we can have a shot at the title." Vengsarkar, who had earlier said of Sehwag being used in the middle-order, did not rule out the possibility of him batting as an opener if the opportunity provides. The former India captain said that it was unfortunate for off-spinner Ramesh Powar not to find a place while Anil Kumble has done reasonably well and was an experienced bowler. Munaf Patel, who did not play in the series against the West Indies which India won 3-1 due to an ankle injury, impressed in his comeback against Sri Lanka in the opening two one-dayers and deservingly found a place in the touring party. Shah said left-arm pacer Rudra Pratap Singh and middle-order batsman Suresh Raina have been included "as cover" for Pathan and Yuvraj for the remaining two matches against Sri Lanka. On the selection of Pathan, the Baroda bowler who was sent home midway through the tour of South Africa to sort out his bowling, Vengsarkar said, "he was injured in the past, he has done well and he is fit now". On Raina's exclusion, Dravid said, "At the end of the day, a lot of players select themselves on how you have performed. Not only Raina but also others will feel unlucky to miss out in the 15 but at the end of the day few will have disappointments." Six players -- Robin Uthappa, Kaarthick, Dhoni, Sreesanth, Pathan and Patel -- will be playing in their first World Cup. India are drawn with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda in Group B of the preliminary league. The top two teams will move to the second round, Super Eight. The team will assemble in Mumbai on February 26 before leaving late night on February 28. Squad: Rahul Dravid (Capt.), Sachin Tendulkar (vice-Capt.), Sourav Ganguly , Yuvraj Singh , Mahendra Dhoni , Robin Uthappa , Ajit Agarkar , Zaheer Khan , Harbhajan Singh , Anil Kumble , Dinesh Kaarthick , Irfan Pathan , Munaf Patel , Virender Shewag and S Sreesanth . Also View In-Depth Coverage: Cricket World Cup 2007 Team Page: India Team Page: West Indies | LIVE CRICKET COVERAGE NEWS ~ Gilchrist has no plans to retire after World Cup ~ Ganguly's new batting approach may cost him sixer record ~ India 'squash the Orange' in World Cup warm-up game ~ Symonds gets a new hairdo for World Cup ~ Dhoni readies himself for stand-up act at World Cup (more in NEWS) FACE-TO-FACE ~ 500-mark a possibility in World Cup: Hayden ~ Minnows add charm to World Cup: Dravid (more in FACE-TO-FACE) COLUMNS ~ Will Sri Lanka replicate 1996 World Cup success? (more in COLUMNS) OFF-THE-FIELD ~ Ganguly again the darling of corporate world ~ Ganguly roped in as brand ambassador of Puma (more in OFF-THE-FIELD) PLAYERS Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble (more PLAYERS) TEAMS India, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, Zimbabwe, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Kenya, Holland | 
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