India Team News ICC Cricket World Cup 2007


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World T20, 2nd Semi-Final

India vs West Indies

at Mumbai, Mar 31, 2016
West Indies 196/3 beat India 192/2 by 7 wickets


India Cricket Team News - ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

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Wishing team india all the best for the world cup 2007

Greg Chappell resigns as Indian cricket coach

Days after India crashed out of the World Cup, coach Greg Chappell on Wednesday resigned from his post.
Chappell offered to quit as the coach of Indian Cricket Team in an e-mail sent to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar, citing "family and personal" reasons. Making it clear that he would not seek an extension to his contract as coach, which was till the World Cup, he termed the job as "one of the most challenging coaching positions in world cricket". He did not forget to thank both the board and the players, saying that the BCCI allowed him the "honour of coaching the Indian Cricket Team over the past 22 months".
"I am grateful to the players with whom I have worked in this time for the challenges that they presented me with and which I tried to meet in a professional, methodical and interesting way in the interests of the team and the individual," he added. This comes a day after former skipper Sachin Tendulkar came out openly against Chappell's reported statement that the team's senior players were acting like mafia and lacked commitment. The 57-year-old former Aussie captain had taken over the job from John Wright 22 months back.

Dravid takes responsibility for India's poor show

Captain Rahul Dravid has taken responsibility for India's cricket World Cup failure but says resigning the captaincy was not an issue.
India were eliminated from the tournament at the first round stage after losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and finishing Group B with just two points from their three matches. "We definitely do take the responsibility. I am not sitting here and trying to shirk responsibility. I am the first one to stand up and say that we should have done better, and it starts with me," Dravid told the media. "I am not trying to put the responsibility on anyone. People are asking me what's the way forward and what do we do. I haven't really thought about stuff like that." "Till about 24 hours ago , I truly believed that we will still be in this tournament. I didn't have the time to think what's ahead of us. But I am not trying to say I don't take any responsibility. I take full responsibility for the fact that we haven't progressed to the next round."
On the issue of the captaincy, Dravid said he had been appointed until the end of the cricket World cup and his fate was in the hands of the Indian cricket board. "I was appointed captain till the World Cup. So I am not even the captain at this point of time. So it's not my decision to make," Dravid stressed.
Dravid, a key member of the team's much vaunted batting line-up, said the batsmen did not perform to potential during the group stage. "Some of these guys have had success before as well. It's a question of maybe the guys going back and looking at their performances, how they performed in the important games and critical games," he noted. "Yes, we have not batted anywhere near our potential. We picked what was the best batting line-up in the conditions but I guess we were the best batting line-up in India, but we did not bat well enough in these two games. It is definitely something to think about."
India became the second major team to be eliminated from the cricket World Cup, following Pakistan's surprise exit after their three-wicket shock defeat to Ireland a fortnight ago. "Both the teams did not play good cricket. I think Pakistan stumbled against Ireland and we stumbled against Bangladesh," Dravid reasoned. In a tournament like this, he said, you have one bad day and you could be in big trouble and that's what happened to Pakistan and India. "I am sure there is a lot of thinking to do in both the countries."
Dravid also does not believe his players will be in any danger when they return home to irate fans. Since India 's loss to Bangladesh two weeks ago and their subsequent first round exit from the cricket World Cup as a result of their loss to Sri Lanka Friday, Indian fans have been responding angrily. They have mounted angry public protests, burnt effigies of the Indian players and called for their axing.
Dravid told the media here he was not worried. "I am not really worried. I hope the players wouldn't be under any physical danger. To be honest, I don't expect that to be the case," Dravid said. "I am sure people will be disappointed, and fair enough. They have invested a lot of hope in this team and we haven't delivered. So, they are entitled to be disappointed. But I just hope that no one in is in any physical danger."

Rahul Dravid happy with key players

Indian captain Rahul Dravid said that the key players in his team where coming into top form and fitness, which augured well for India's chances at the cricket World Cup.
"Most key players are finding form and fitness which is a good sign for us," Dravid said after a convincing nine-wicket win over the West Indies in the team's final warm-up match before the start of the cricketing extravaganza. Dravid was very happy with the overall performance of the team, especially the seam bowlers. "We bowled in the right areas and held our catches. We got to bowl in slightly helpful conditions and made full use of them," a confident Indian skipper said. Even though conditions may be different in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, where India will play the group matches, today's win was an important result, he said. "Momentum is important in a World Cup and we are happy with our game at the moment," Dravid added. His counterpart Brian Lara did not hide his displeasure at his team's display. "I'm not happy with the performance today. It was a bad game and I don't want another performance like this," he said. Lara expressed concern over the repeated batting collapses and said the team needed to get the problem sorted out. "This has become a chronic issue. In a World Cup, you are allowed one hiccup here and there but we need to get more consistent. We definitely need to regroup after this game," he added.

Zaheer wants to use slower ball in World Cup

Zaheer Khan wants to use the slower ball as a weapon during next month's World Cup cricket in the West Indies.
Slower ball can be an "invaluable asset" on wickets such as those in the West Indies that are not responsive to fast bowlers, said the left-handed fast medium bowler who has been in excellent form since making a comeback to the team. Zaheer also underlined the importance of cutting down on extras as vital to Team India's campaign in the World Cup hours before of the team's departure to the West Indies. Zaheer's recent run is a testimony of how closely he follows the belief he advocates so strongly. The Mumbai paceman has played 10 one-day matches since the tour to South Africa and conceded just nine wides and two no-balls, a shade over an extra a match. He has experienced the entire gamut of emotions in his career of seven years during which he made a fairytale debut, rose to be the front rank bowler before injuries and poor form, not to speak of indifference by the team management, appeared to have ground his career to a halt. He has now reclaimed the position in the side and his insights on the eve of his second representation in World Cups speak about a man in know of his craft.

Indian team leaves for World Cup

The Indian Cricket Team left here early Thursday morning to take part in the World Cup beginning March 11 in the West Indies.
The 15-member side, led by Rahul Dravid, left at round 3 a.m. by a British Airways flight for London. The team, which is placed in Group B, will play two practice matches before clashing with Bangladesh at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Sri Lanka and Bermuda are the other teams in the pool. The opening ceremony will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica March 11.
An official send-off dinner, a new cola dedicated to the team and lots of good wishes were what the Indian cricketers received here a day before they leave for the West Indies to compete in the World Cup. The Indian board hosted the dinner Wednesday night, accompanied by a music band, when the players, national selectors and officials were seen in a relaxed mood - tapping their feet to the music, chatting, cracking jokes and, of course, savouring the food. The Rahul Dravid-led team leaves for the West Indies by a 2.40 a.m. flight Thursday for the ninth edition of the World Cup beginning March 11 with the opening ceremony in Montego Bay. Chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar also appeared upbeat as he showered praise on the team and hoped for an encore of the 1983 World Cup triumph, which he tasted as a team member in England.
"This is an excellent team. Man to man, our team is far superior to the other teams, but they have to put that into practice," said the former India captain. "There's no need to tell the players what to do in the West Indies, they all are fit and in form." Dravid and coach Greg Chappell had addressed a farewell press conference at the board headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium Wednesday afternoon. Many team members were also present at a function where a soft drink company launched a new cola dedicated to the team, with Bollywood personalities present at the function. Only nine of the 15 players selected have experienced the pressures of a World Cup while six - Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel and Sreesanth - will be appearing for the first time. The 16-nation World Cup will be played at 12 grounds in nine venues between March 11 and April 28.

We have the team to win World Cup: Chappell

Chappell promised a fighting performance from his team which had the "flexibility and experience" to clinch the coveted trophy. Chappell said the team was well prepared to counter the conditions in the Caribbean and now it was only a matter of executing the plans on the field.
"I think we are in as good a position as we could hope to be. We have a good, balanced squad, good experience combined with youth. We have good variety in bowling and batting that would give us a wide range of options no matter what the conditions or the opposition", Chappell said at the pre-departure media conference here today. "We go with confidence and with plenty of hope. We have got cover for all the key players and the key positions. We have got flexibility in bowling and batting. "We have got a squad we can expect to do well with. We have done all the preparations. But really now it's going to be about performance on the day in each game and that's where the pressure is going to be." Chappell admitted that the players will be under some pressure as the main eight teams were evenly balanced. "We are going to have a lot of close games. Probably a lot of middle scoring games which means they are going to be close games. "The pressure will be on and that's where our experience and flexibility are going to be very positive for us," the former Australian skipper said. Skipper Rahul Dravid, who was also present at the conference, expressed confidence and said that the goal was to play tough and fighting cricket in the mega event to be held for the first time in the West Indies. "Our goal is to go and play good cricket and try our best. We want to compete and play some tough and fighting cricket, take one step at a time."
Dravid insisted that no unfit players were in the team and that he was happy with the pace bowling department. "I am quite happy with the pace bowling. Munaf Patel has come back well from his (ankle) injury and has become one of our best bowlers in one-dayers over the last 15 games. "Sree (Sreesanth) is a wicket-taking bowler. Zaheer (Khan) and Ajit (Agarkar) are playing well", he said. On Irfan Pathan, who was unfit for the entire duration of the four-match series against Sri Lanka at home, the Indian captain felt he needed a little more bowling under his belt before India's first match while adding the Baroda left arm bowler was fit and has overcome his shoulder problem. Dravid said the middle overs were just one crucial area and not the only one for teams to surmount during the World Cup. "It's just one important area. But I feel all the teams can improve in this area. All the teams now know what to do in the first 15 and last ten overs. That's why more teams are focusing on the middle overs now," he said

Rahul Dravid promises aggressive cricket in World Cup

Indian Skipper Rahul Dravid said Tuesday the Indian Cricket Team will play aggressive cricket with the aim of winning the Cricket World Cup.
"We are going to the Caribbean to play aggressive, competitive cricket," Dravid told reporters ahead to the squad's departure for the West Indies. "It's a big tournament, we'll put our best foot forward and play to the best of our ability," Dravid said.
Coach Greg Chappell said teams possessing more flexibility in altering their combination would have a better chance of success during the 51-day tournament. "Teams at the World Cup that have more flexibility and more variety will do well," Dravid said. "Our team has a good balance and a fine mix of youth and experience," he said.
Chappell said the team was looking forward to the World Cup with "confidence and hope." In the last World Cup in 2003, India advanced to the final where it lost to Australia. India is going to the World Cup having won home one-day series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. India will start its World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on March 17.

Ganguly happy with World Cup squad

Former captain Sourav Ganguly feels that the 15-member World Cup squad leaving for the Caribbeans is the strongest available and would do India proud.
"This time we have to do one better," Ganguly said Monday, appearing as the brand ambassador of Chirag Computers. Ganguly, the most successful captain of India, said: "I think this is the strongest team that can be formed and we have 15 best players of the country." "About 90 percent of the players were there in the last World Cup and the new ones like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sreesanth are a fantastic addition," he said. Asked whether he was feeling the pressure of expectations going into the quadrennial event, he said, "I have been doing this for the past 12 years, so I am quite used to it." He also was of the opinion that the tournament was more "open" this time with Australia's form dipping a little bit over the last couple of months. On his personal goals in this World Cup, he said, "I just want to score runs and help the team in any way I can."
Later in the day, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) presented Ganguly with a Swarovski crystal trophy as a gesture of affection, wishing him and the Indian Cricket Team success in the World Cup beginning March 11. The trophy was presented to him by former Bengal captain Premanshu Chatterjee. Former Olympian Chuni Goswami and Asian Games silver medalist Soma Biswas were among the prominent figures present during the event. Speaking on the occasion, Ganguly said: "Kolkata should not only be a cricket-crazy city, it should also provide cricketers who can perform at an international level. I want the younger players to make the best use of the facilities provided at the Eden Gardens." "This is undoubtedly one of the best grounds of the world. Youngsters should make the best use of the facilities available here as that would only help in their improvement," he said.

Kapil rates India behind Aussies to win the World Cup

Legendary former captain Kapil Dev on Monday said India sometimes lacked the passion and could be seeded only behind favourites Australia to win the World Cup in the West Indies.
"I am no fortune teller. But as an Indian, my heart says that India should win while as the mind is not convinced. I hope the Indian team overcomes hiccups like injuries and gets into proper rythem," he said. "They should soon get into the act and they should keep up the intensity through out the tournament. India should keep up the intensity to lift the World Cup in the West Indies," he said. Asked what was special in his 1983 champion team and its difference between between the present team, Kapil said "the 1983 team had the intensity and passion, while the present team misses it sometime.
Legendary former captain Kapil Dev on Monday said India sometimes lacked the passion and could be seeded only behind favourites Australia to win the World Cup in the West Indies. "I am no fortune teller. But as an Indian, my heart says that India should win while as the mind is not convinced. I hope the Indian team overcomes hiccups like injuries and gets into proper rythem," he said. "They should soon get into the act and they should keep up the intensity through out the tournament. India should keep up the intensity to lift the World Cup in the West Indies," he said. Asked what was special in his 1983 champion team and its difference between between the present team, Kapil said "the 1983 team had the intensity and passion, while the present team misses it sometime.

Irfan Pathan cleared for World Cup

India seamer Irfan Pathan was cleared to play in the World Cup after proving his match fitness on Sunday.
The 22-year-old allrounder overcame a bad first spell to take two for 48 off 8.4 overs for West Zone against Central Zone in a Deodhar Trophy match in Ahmedabad. Vengsarkar asked Pathan on Friday to undergo a fitness test after a shoulder strain meant he played just one of eight games in the recent home one-day series against West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Team India 2007 best available: Pranab Roy

While the World Cup cricket fever grips India, debate continues on which national squad since the 1983 had the best chance to win the Cup.
Former India player and national selector Pranab Roy thinks the 2007 squad is the best available team but the one under Sourav Ganguly that reached the finals and lost to Australia in 2003 was the most potential Cup winner. At the Kolkata launch of sports journalist Ashis Ray's book 'One-day Cricket: The Indian Challenge' Saturday evening, Pranab Roy said: "My choice would always be the 2003 team as the best since 1983." "In 2003 we had batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid in their best form. We were too heavily dependant on batting but it was an overall balanced team," Roy said. "Though we lost in the finals it was our best team. The one we have this time is the best available team. It's more or less the same as the 2003 team except for Robin Uthapa in the opening slot and Dinesh Kartick in the middle order," said Roy. According to Ashis Ray, whose book published by HarperCollins India also dwells on the 2007 squad, India has a choice between seven batsmen and four bowlers, and five batsmen and six bowlers. "A lot depends on how Irfan Pathan bowls," said Ray, echoing what Ganguly said of an injury-hit Irfan Pathan. "We need him," Ganguly said Saturday.
Former cricketer Ashok Gandotra, who was also present at the launch, said, "We have at least 90 percent of the team we wanted. We have seven batsmen, five fast bowlers, two spinners and three all- rounders if you take into account the full capability of the team. I think we have a good chance to win." The release of Ray's book could not have come at a better time. The book dwells on the World Cups, two of which Ashis Ray covered as member of the BBC commentary team analysing every aspect of the game from the point of view of a "hard-nosed journalist". "I have also dwelt on the issue of match-fixing," said Ray. "There is a reference to all the incidents since the time of Hansie Cronje and the 1999 Test between India and South Africa." India had hosted South Africa for a two-Test series in 1999/2000. It was shortly after this tour that the match-fixing scandal broke out. Led by Cronje, South Africans won the first Test in Mumbai by four wickets.

India's new jersey only after World Cup

Indias cricketers were on Tuesday ordered to discard their new World Cup uniforms, 24 hours after they paraded the specially designed kit with much fanfare.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the Indian board that only uniforms approved and supplied by the sports world governing body can be worn at the World Cup in the Caribbean. The ICC missive came after newspapers on Tuesday splashed pictures of Indian players, led by captain Rahul Dravid, modelling light blue uniforms designed by Team Indias official supplier Nike in Mumbai on Monday.
US-based sportswear giant Nike, which is contracted to kit out the Indian team, had boasted the new uniforms were 15 per cent lighter and had sweat-absorbing features to keep the body cool. Indian cricket official Ratnakar Shetty said the new uniforms cannot be worn at the World Cup.

India announce World Cup Squad

India have named their final 15-man squad for the World Cup, which gets underway in West Indies next month.
There are no surprises, with selectors deciding to stick with the same side currently playing a one-day series against Sri Lanka. Rudra Pratap Singh and Suresh Raina were also named as reserves. India: R Dravid (c), S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, R Uthappa, V Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Wicket Keeper), D Kartik, Z Khan, A Kumble, H Singh, A Agarkar, I Pathan, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth.

India to name World Cup squad before Feb 13

The Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup in the Caribbean would be selected on February 12 in Mumbai.
The list of 30 probables for the World Cup would be pruned to 15 as February 13 is the last day to submit the names to the ICC, BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah told said. Before that, the national selectors will meet on Saturday to pick the team for the series against Sri Lanka, who will be playing four one-dayers in India - in Kolkata (Feb 8), Rajkot (Feb 11), Goa (Feb 14) and Vishakapatnam (Feb 17). Shah also said seamer Munaf Patel, who is recuperating from an ankle injury, would play a match against a local outfit tomorrow, following which he will get himself assessed by BCCI's Dr Anant Joshi in Mumbai.

Kapil hits out at Team India blues

If the countrys solitary cricket World Cup-winning skipper is to be believed, the 2007 World Cup in West Indies is going to be Indias cup of woes.
In Bangalore last night and in Calcutta this morning, the 48-year-young Kapil was seen treading on the Beldih greens in the afternoon as he arrived in the steel city to grace the final of the annual Cricennis event played between the Tubemakers Club and Tata Steel. Honing his skills with the birdies and the putts alright, but the Haryana Hurricane turned grim while speaking about Indias chances in the tournament. "The team managements propensity to toy with the players is not good. The performance against West Indies, too, is nothing to write home about and will do nothing to add to their confidence before the event," he said.
The first ODI centurion for the country, Kapil also didnt seem too pleased with Sachin Tendulkars recent form. "Hes been playing from a very young age and is still a great player. But he is no more what he used to be," Kapil added. He, however, was effusive in his praise for Bengal tiger Sourav Ganguly. "His comeback is an inspiration," Kapil said of the former India captain, who made a thumping return to the national team even amid its dismal performances. In fact, during a talk in Bangalore yesterday, the all-rounder shared the secret of the famous World Cup-winning feat in 1983, after the team was written off by the experts in its battle with the mighty Windies team, arguably the best the world has ever seen. "The motto is self-belief. If you believe, you certainly can," he said. Looking forward to the Caribbean Calypso at present, Kapil is negotiating his stake with a leading channel for commentary during the event.

Indian cricket announce 30 World Cup probables

The national selectors announced a preliminary 30-member squad for the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies in March.
Rahul Dravid has been retained as captain while Sachin Tendulkar has been named the vice-captain. The World Cup is to be held in the West Indies in March-April. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept January 13 as a cut-off date for all participating nations to send their list of 30 probables with the final 15-member squad to be named by February 13.
Indian Team : Rahul Dravid (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Joginder Sharma, Ajit Agarakar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicket keeper), Rudra Pratap Singh, Dinesh Karthik (wicket keeper), Suresh Raina, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Romesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Anil Kumble, Dinesh Mongia, Vikram Raj Vir Singh, Parthiv Patel (wicket keeper), V.V.S. Laxman, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Cheteswar Pujara, Subramaniam Badrinath and Rajesh Pawar.

Dravid to captain India at World cup 2007

Rahul Dravid will remain as India's captain until next year's World Cup in the West Indies, national selectors announced on Saturday. Dravid, 33, has led his team to one-day series victories against Sri Lanka at home and in Pakistan since taking over from Sourav Ganguly last year. His side also drew 2-2 against South Africa at home last year.
The middle-order batsman became the sixth Indian to figure in 100 Tests during the third and final match against England which began here on Saturday.
Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar and Anil Kumble are others to have played 100 or more Tests.
Dravid also led his team in two three-Test series, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 at home last year before losing 1-0 in Pakistan in January.
His side is currently leading 1-0 against England after winning the second Test by nine wickets at Mohali. The opening match ended in a draw.
Dravid has made 8,492 runs in 99 Tests, the third-highest Indian scorer after Tendulkar (10,434) and Gavaskar (10,122).

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

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All World Cup Cricket matches in West Indies start at 09:30 local time (14:30GMT). The first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 will be played on March 13, 2007 at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, between the host West Indies and Pakistan.

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Editor: Nishanth Gopinathan.