For a team that was knocked out in the first round itself in 2007, India have done amazingly well to be counted among the favourites at this World Cup. They have been highly consistent over the last two years which means they can last the distance in a long drawn-out tournament.
Impact Index (II) too shows that India's two greatest ODI batsmen are currently opening the batting (Tendulkar, Sehwag). They also boast of their greatest finisher in the middle order (Dhoni), as also their best match winning talent after Tendulkar (Yuvraj). Add their finest wicketkeeper and finest ODI captain (Dhoni), their best-ever ODI bowler (Harbhajan Singh) and their second-best pace ODI bowler (Zaheer Khan) and you have a formidable line-up. A man-by-man analysis:
1) VIRENDER SEHWAG (1999 - ) Matches 214 | Batting Average 35 | Strike Rate 103 | Bowling Average 40 | Economy Rate 5.3 | Impact Index 2.86
Despite just-about decent conventional statistics, Sehwag's strike rate makes him the most dangerous batsman in the world. This is reflected in his Strike Rate II, which is second only to Afridi among the current World Cuppers. His Bowling II of 0.73 suggests a very useful part-time bowler too.
2) SACHIN TENDULKAR (1989 - ) Matches 420 | Batting Average 45 | Strike Rate 86 | Bowling Average 44 | Economy Rate 5.1 | Impact Index 3.42
The world's greatest ODI batsman of this era (Batting II 2.16) opens the batting. It is his last World Cup and he is really hungry for it. Talent like his needs no better focus but the weight of expectation in front of home crowds might be a huge factor.
3) GAUTAM GAMBHIR (2004 - ) Matches 97 | Batting Average 40 | Strike Rate 87 | Impact Index 1.93
Gambhir is, in his quiet way, a formidable force already (7th best Indian ODI batsman of all-time) - very good at absorbing pressure too, as per II. He is even better at anchoring the side during a chase (has the fourth-highest Chasing II in Indian ODI history) so should enable the openers to play with abandon.
4) VIRAT KOHLI (2008 - ) Matches 43 | Batting Average 46 | Strike Rate 82 | Impact Index 2.25
If the minimum qualification of 75 matches could be relaxed, Kohli would be the third-best ODI Indian batsman of all time (after Tendulkar and Sehwag). Not only this, he is just behind Dravid and Yuvraj at absorbing pressure too, as II reveals. Kohli is also one of the best fielders in the current squad along with Yuvraj and Raina.
5) YUVRAJ SINGH (2000 - ) Matches 253 | Batting Average 37 | Strike Rate 88 | Bowling Average 39 | Economy Rate 5 | Impact Index 2.77
He is India's greatest match-winning ODI batsman after Tendulkar (four series-defining performances, the most after Tendulkar), almost a genuine bowler (with a Bowling II of almost 1) and India's best fielder. If injury problems and fitness issues don't catch up, he could be India's most important player in this World Cup.
6) MS DHONI (2004 - ) Matches 167 | Batting Average 49 | Strike Rate 89 | Impact Index 3.56
India's most successful captain, its best wicket-keeper and its sixth-best ODI batsman of all time. And perhaps more pertinently, the best chaser and finisher amongst Indian batsmen. His fundamentally detached temperament might be the key factor in front of impassioned home crowds.
7) YUSUF PATHAN (2008 - ) Matches 43 | Batting Average 33 | Strike Rate 115 | Bowling Average 35 | Economy Rate 5.6 | Impact Index 2.25
Given what he has built his reputation on, it's surprising that his Bowling II of 1.01 is actually higher than his Batting II (0.92). But he handles pressure superbly, and is second only to Sehwag when it comes to Strike Rate. An all-or-nothing player, he could be the match-winner.
8) HARBHAJAN SINGH (1998 - ) Matches 202 | Bowling Average 33 | Economy Rate 4.3 | Impact Index 2.80
India's best ODI bowler of all-time. Has the second highest Economy Rate II in world cricket today (after Muralitharan). Bears the mantle of India's best bowler and could play the most important role for the team. Can be a dangerous lower order bat too, though he seems to prefer the Test format.
9) ZAHEER KHAN (2000 - ) Matches 172 | Bowling Average 30 | Economy Rate 4.9 | Impact Index 2.49
India's second-best pace bowler ever (after Srinath) - and crucial to India's chances, especially with the loss through injury of Praveen Kumar. Has been in good form lately, and he could also be one of the most significant forces for India.
10) MUNAF PATEL (2006 - ) Matches 50 | Bowling Average 30 | Economy Rate 4.8 | Impact Index 2.24
He has an excellent Economy II and a good Partnership-Breaking II - and is a genuine match winner on his day (gets an II 5 every ten matches, which is very good - though he is yet to cross 75 games). Praveen's exit paves the way for him.
11) ASHISH NEHRA (2001 - ) Matches 111 | Bowling Average 32 | Economy Rate 5.2 | Impact Index 2.13
Nehra's fragile body has never quite lived up to his promise. This is a great chance for him to be counted. He is amongst India's highest wicket takers (on a match-by-match basis, which II measures, not aggregates) and could be the team's most important support act, especially in death overs.
ON THE BENCH
SURESH RAINA (2005 - ) Matches 107 | Batting Average 35 | Strike Rate 90 | Impact Index 1.72
Amongst India's best batsmen when it comes to handling pressure and second only to Yuvraj when it comes to fielding. Has lost his place due to poor form (after a fabulous run) but Pathan's unreliability could bring him back in the reckoning soon.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN (2010 - ) Matches 7 | Bowling Average 23 | Economy Rate 4.9 | Impact Index 3.46
The most exciting young player in India today - has the best Bowling II amongst any Indian bowler (2.81) but has played only 6 matches to arrive at any conclusive decision. He has an excellent Economy II and can bat a bit too. Could well be India's surprise weapon in the big matches (and might have been held back by Dhoni lately for that reason).
S SREESANTH (2010 - ) Matches 47 | Bowling Average 32 | Economy Rate 6.0 | Impact Index 1.80
Praveen Kumar's injury is a huge body blow and Sreesanth is not really an adequate replacement in Indian conditions. He is not quite as impressive in ODIs as in Tests, but given his exploits in South Africa a logical replacement choice (his Bowling II of 1.44 is not bad at all). Indian conditions won't help him much though.
PIYUSH CHAWLA (2007 - ) Matches 22 | Bowling Average 34 | Economy Rate 4.9 | Impact Index 1.78
A solid and useful bowler (with a good Economy II) but somewhat perplexing to see him in the side. When even Ashwin is not assured of getting a place in the first eleven, Chawla is certain to be a passenger in this World Cup. He will probably be a quality net bowler during practice sessions.
About Impact Index
Impact Index is a newly-developed statistical system in cricket that measures the impact of a player in a match relative to the other performances in the same match, on a scale of 0 to 5. On a match and career level, this is perhaps the most meaningful measure of a cricketer till date. By adding context to its measurement, it avoids the skews of time-honoured systems like averages. By making all its calculations holistically from each match, it avoids the rampant subjectivity of rating systems. The Times Of India has the exclusive use of Impact Index right through World Cup 2011.
India's batting might is the strongest in the tournament
Team II
Assuming the Indians select the eleven marked here, the Team II is 2.61 (down from 2.66 after Praveen Kumar's injury), which as it transpires, is clustered along with South Africa and Australia. Home conditions give India an advantage though. To break it down further, India have the strongest batting in the tournament - an II of 1.66 if only the top 7 batsmen are considered. If all 11 players are considered, they are second-best after Australia with 1.12 II. Encouragingly, they have the most dynamic batting side (first on Strike Rate II amongst all teams) and the side with the third highest Pressure II amongst the major teams too. Their bowling II is 1.26 which is amongst the lowest (now even more weakened with Praveen out). But their Economy II in a team context is the second highest which might be useful. Ashwin's inclusion would increase India's Bowling II but would that upset the balance, given that there is no part-time medium pacer (like Ganguly or Amarnath)? Overall, India has 5 players over 2.5 II, which compares well with all the strong teams. There are 15 series/tournament-defining performances amongst its players (the next highest is 12) too and this could be crucial. It means India are carrying more match-winning talent than any team in World Cup 2011.
Conclusion
It is clear from the II readings that this is India's strongest pre-World Cup team in its history (in fact, based on overall career figures, this is more or less on par with India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, even without the Bonus IIs of winning a World Cup). Given its bench-strength, it is difficult to see this team falter...on paper. But the bowling has a soft spot or two, and the part-timers may well have a role to play there. Relative to the other teams too, India has an advantage. As far as II goes, they are on paper the favourites in this World Cup...and it would be the biggest upset of this year if they do not at least reach the final.
Impact Index (II) too shows that India's two greatest ODI batsmen are currently opening the batting (Tendulkar, Sehwag). They also boast of their greatest finisher in the middle order (Dhoni), as also their best match winning talent after Tendulkar (Yuvraj). Add their finest wicketkeeper and finest ODI captain (Dhoni), their best-ever ODI bowler (Harbhajan Singh) and their second-best pace ODI bowler (Zaheer Khan) and you have a formidable line-up. A man-by-man analysis:
1) VIRENDER SEHWAG (1999 - ) Matches 214 | Batting Average 35 | Strike Rate 103 | Bowling Average 40 | Economy Rate 5.3 | Impact Index 2.86
Despite just-about decent conventional statistics, Sehwag's strike rate makes him the most dangerous batsman in the world. This is reflected in his Strike Rate II, which is second only to Afridi among the current World Cuppers. His Bowling II of 0.73 suggests a very useful part-time bowler too.
2) SACHIN TENDULKAR (1989 - ) Matches 420 | Batting Average 45 | Strike Rate 86 | Bowling Average 44 | Economy Rate 5.1 | Impact Index 3.42
The world's greatest ODI batsman of this era (Batting II 2.16) opens the batting. It is his last World Cup and he is really hungry for it. Talent like his needs no better focus but the weight of expectation in front of home crowds might be a huge factor.
3) GAUTAM GAMBHIR (2004 - ) Matches 97 | Batting Average 40 | Strike Rate 87 | Impact Index 1.93
Gambhir is, in his quiet way, a formidable force already (7th best Indian ODI batsman of all-time) - very good at absorbing pressure too, as per II. He is even better at anchoring the side during a chase (has the fourth-highest Chasing II in Indian ODI history) so should enable the openers to play with abandon.
4) VIRAT KOHLI (2008 - ) Matches 43 | Batting Average 46 | Strike Rate 82 | Impact Index 2.25
If the minimum qualification of 75 matches could be relaxed, Kohli would be the third-best ODI Indian batsman of all time (after Tendulkar and Sehwag). Not only this, he is just behind Dravid and Yuvraj at absorbing pressure too, as II reveals. Kohli is also one of the best fielders in the current squad along with Yuvraj and Raina.
5) YUVRAJ SINGH (2000 - ) Matches 253 | Batting Average 37 | Strike Rate 88 | Bowling Average 39 | Economy Rate 5 | Impact Index 2.77
He is India's greatest match-winning ODI batsman after Tendulkar (four series-defining performances, the most after Tendulkar), almost a genuine bowler (with a Bowling II of almost 1) and India's best fielder. If injury problems and fitness issues don't catch up, he could be India's most important player in this World Cup.
6) MS DHONI (2004 - ) Matches 167 | Batting Average 49 | Strike Rate 89 | Impact Index 3.56
India's most successful captain, its best wicket-keeper and its sixth-best ODI batsman of all time. And perhaps more pertinently, the best chaser and finisher amongst Indian batsmen. His fundamentally detached temperament might be the key factor in front of impassioned home crowds.
7) YUSUF PATHAN (2008 - ) Matches 43 | Batting Average 33 | Strike Rate 115 | Bowling Average 35 | Economy Rate 5.6 | Impact Index 2.25
Given what he has built his reputation on, it's surprising that his Bowling II of 1.01 is actually higher than his Batting II (0.92). But he handles pressure superbly, and is second only to Sehwag when it comes to Strike Rate. An all-or-nothing player, he could be the match-winner.
8) HARBHAJAN SINGH (1998 - ) Matches 202 | Bowling Average 33 | Economy Rate 4.3 | Impact Index 2.80
India's best ODI bowler of all-time. Has the second highest Economy Rate II in world cricket today (after Muralitharan). Bears the mantle of India's best bowler and could play the most important role for the team. Can be a dangerous lower order bat too, though he seems to prefer the Test format.
9) ZAHEER KHAN (2000 - ) Matches 172 | Bowling Average 30 | Economy Rate 4.9 | Impact Index 2.49
India's second-best pace bowler ever (after Srinath) - and crucial to India's chances, especially with the loss through injury of Praveen Kumar. Has been in good form lately, and he could also be one of the most significant forces for India.
10) MUNAF PATEL (2006 - ) Matches 50 | Bowling Average 30 | Economy Rate 4.8 | Impact Index 2.24
He has an excellent Economy II and a good Partnership-Breaking II - and is a genuine match winner on his day (gets an II 5 every ten matches, which is very good - though he is yet to cross 75 games). Praveen's exit paves the way for him.
11) ASHISH NEHRA (2001 - ) Matches 111 | Bowling Average 32 | Economy Rate 5.2 | Impact Index 2.13
Nehra's fragile body has never quite lived up to his promise. This is a great chance for him to be counted. He is amongst India's highest wicket takers (on a match-by-match basis, which II measures, not aggregates) and could be the team's most important support act, especially in death overs.
ON THE BENCH
SURESH RAINA (2005 - ) Matches 107 | Batting Average 35 | Strike Rate 90 | Impact Index 1.72
Amongst India's best batsmen when it comes to handling pressure and second only to Yuvraj when it comes to fielding. Has lost his place due to poor form (after a fabulous run) but Pathan's unreliability could bring him back in the reckoning soon.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN (2010 - ) Matches 7 | Bowling Average 23 | Economy Rate 4.9 | Impact Index 3.46
The most exciting young player in India today - has the best Bowling II amongst any Indian bowler (2.81) but has played only 6 matches to arrive at any conclusive decision. He has an excellent Economy II and can bat a bit too. Could well be India's surprise weapon in the big matches (and might have been held back by Dhoni lately for that reason).
S SREESANTH (2010 - ) Matches 47 | Bowling Average 32 | Economy Rate 6.0 | Impact Index 1.80
Praveen Kumar's injury is a huge body blow and Sreesanth is not really an adequate replacement in Indian conditions. He is not quite as impressive in ODIs as in Tests, but given his exploits in South Africa a logical replacement choice (his Bowling II of 1.44 is not bad at all). Indian conditions won't help him much though.
PIYUSH CHAWLA (2007 - ) Matches 22 | Bowling Average 34 | Economy Rate 4.9 | Impact Index 1.78
A solid and useful bowler (with a good Economy II) but somewhat perplexing to see him in the side. When even Ashwin is not assured of getting a place in the first eleven, Chawla is certain to be a passenger in this World Cup. He will probably be a quality net bowler during practice sessions.
About Impact Index
Impact Index is a newly-developed statistical system in cricket that measures the impact of a player in a match relative to the other performances in the same match, on a scale of 0 to 5. On a match and career level, this is perhaps the most meaningful measure of a cricketer till date. By adding context to its measurement, it avoids the skews of time-honoured systems like averages. By making all its calculations holistically from each match, it avoids the rampant subjectivity of rating systems. The Times Of India has the exclusive use of Impact Index right through World Cup 2011.
India's batting might is the strongest in the tournament
Team II
Assuming the Indians select the eleven marked here, the Team II is 2.61 (down from 2.66 after Praveen Kumar's injury), which as it transpires, is clustered along with South Africa and Australia. Home conditions give India an advantage though. To break it down further, India have the strongest batting in the tournament - an II of 1.66 if only the top 7 batsmen are considered. If all 11 players are considered, they are second-best after Australia with 1.12 II. Encouragingly, they have the most dynamic batting side (first on Strike Rate II amongst all teams) and the side with the third highest Pressure II amongst the major teams too. Their bowling II is 1.26 which is amongst the lowest (now even more weakened with Praveen out). But their Economy II in a team context is the second highest which might be useful. Ashwin's inclusion would increase India's Bowling II but would that upset the balance, given that there is no part-time medium pacer (like Ganguly or Amarnath)? Overall, India has 5 players over 2.5 II, which compares well with all the strong teams. There are 15 series/tournament-defining performances amongst its players (the next highest is 12) too and this could be crucial. It means India are carrying more match-winning talent than any team in World Cup 2011.
Conclusion
It is clear from the II readings that this is India's strongest pre-World Cup team in its history (in fact, based on overall career figures, this is more or less on par with India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, even without the Bonus IIs of winning a World Cup). Given its bench-strength, it is difficult to see this team falter...on paper. But the bowling has a soft spot or two, and the part-timers may well have a role to play there. Relative to the other teams too, India has an advantage. As far as II goes, they are on paper the favourites in this World Cup...and it would be the biggest upset of this year if they do not at least reach the final.
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