'Great expectations' from Veeru, Pathan

Visakhapatnam, Feb 15 (UNI) Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan have been inducted into the World Cup squad based on their past reputation more than their present form.

But will they justify the faith reposed on them by the selection committee Chairman D B Vengsarkar and captain Rahul Dravid, will be known only after the curtain goes up for the mega event in the West Indies next month.

But the comeback stories of former captain Saurav Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, Sehwag and Pathan are a study in contrast.

While Ganguly and Zahher worked their way back into the team perseverance and gritty performances in domestic cricket and in the South African tour with some commendable performances, same was not the case with Sehwag and Pathan.

With just one match remaining prior to the toss for the first Cup match, as it were, the February 17 final ODI against the Sri Lankans would be the final chance for Veeru and the ''bowling all rounder'' from Baroda to find their form or rhythm.

A sterling performance by the duo at the ACA-VDCA stadium here, expected to be a batsmen's paradise, would augur well for them as well as the team when, which would be flying to the Caribbean islands on February 28.

After being left out of team India, the October-born cricketers had to undergo the test of getting back to the basics in the Ranji Trophy matches. The 28-year-old Sehwag is now being looked at as an all rounder with his ability to chip in as the fifth bowler along with Sachin and Yuvraj.

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