Deserving or not but Viru will be there in WC: former players

New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) Many might be predicting doomsday for the once-swashbuckling Virender Sehwag but not all former players are willing to write him off the World Cup squad scheduled to be announced tomorrow.

While former captain Maninder Singh feels plain luck will see the Delhi-player make the cut in the final 14, ex-coach Madan Lal thinks the lack of any worthwhile replacement and past reputation makes him an obvious choice in the squad.

''He does not deserve to be in the side but he will be there. If you ask me I think he will be lucky to be in the team beacuse of the kind of cricket he has been playing,'' Maninder told UNI in an interview.

Sehwag was dropped from Team India for the just-concluded ODI series against West Indies after his pathetic performance in the tour of South Africa but was brought for the opening two one-dayers of the series against Sri Lanka. The right-hander did not help his cause either by making just 19 in today's five-run loss after the first match at Eden Gardens was washed away.

''He has come back after a long time so you cannot judge him by one innings. He should be there. There is a shortage of match-winners and his reputation will carry him through,'' said Madan Lal.

''I would not use the word lucky for him as there is no one to replace him. He is a good utility player because he also bowls well.

But I think he should be taken as an opener not a middle-order bat,'' he added Speaking about the other likely members of the final squad for the Caribbean, both Maninder and Madan Lal agreed that Dinesh Karthik and Munaf Patel will find a place in the side.

''Dinesh Karthik will survive because he has shown a lot of maturity in his batting,'' felt Madan Lal, who also said the right-hander's wicket-keeping would be a bonus for the team.

He, however, ruled out the selection of Robin Uthappa in India's World Cup mix and said despite being a big-hitter the right-hander would be miss the cut.

''Uthappa is a slam-bang cricketer but he will not make it,'' Madan Lal said.

Maninder, meanwhile, said Irfan Pathan should be the one dropped from the side as the selectors had given him enough chances. Pathan was axed before the tour of South Africa due to poor form and nagging injuries but was picked for the last ODI of the series against West Indies.

''Pathan does not deserve to be there as we carried him through injuries. World Cup is linked to our emotions and I don't think we should be taking any chances by picking him in the team,'' Maninder explained.

Maninder also advocated Ramesh Powar's inclusion as the third spinner along with Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in the team.

''Powar should be there with Kumble and Harbhajan,'' he said.

Despite his erratic form, Madan Lal said S Sreesanth would be a good selection for the bouncy tracks in the Caribbean.

''Sreesanth will be selected as he has been doing well. Plus he is a wicket taking bowler and although he had a few bad matches, he will be effective on the tracks in West Indies,'' Madan Lal said.

UNI