Dravid virtually names Kumble, Harbhajan in World Cup squad

Vadodara, Jan 30 (UNI) If the words of skipper Rahul Dravid have any bearing, then Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh would be the first choices for the spinners slot in the Indian squad for the World Cup.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the fourth and final one-day international against West Indies here today, Rahul Dravid, while virtually naming Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh as the two spinners certain to make the World Cup squad, added that off-spinner Ramesh Powar was competing for a spot with one of the pace bowlers.

''It's good to see Anil Kumble back in action and his bowling together with Harbhajan Singh will be crucial in the World Cup for us,'' Dravid said.

''In them we have got two world class spinners to take care of even power play situations in the first 20 overs when most teams prefer to use pace bowlers,'' Dravid said, adding that this gives India an option of playing an extra batsman. ''It's an added incentive, a bonus for us,'' the captain said.

However, Dravid said Powar was not ruled out for the World Cup, and the Mumbai off-spinner was in fact fighting for a spot in the team with one of the medium pacers and not the two senior spinners.

''I am not ruling out anyone and Powar has done a very good job in the series. He's not competing for a place with two of the greatest slow bowlers, but with one of the seamers,'' said Dravid.

UNI