Men in Blue who matter at the T20 World Cup

MS Dhoni (captain)Age: 27
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Team Chennai
M-13; Runs-304; HS-58*; Avg-43.42;
SR-131.60; 50s-2

No other Indian captain has received as much fan fare as this man. There is a belief that Dhoni can do almost anything, including the impossible. So much gets written and spoken about his captaincy and man-management skills that his batting and keeping gets forgotten. He is seriously good in both these departments too.

Virender Sehwag Age: 30
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Team Delhi
M-11; Runs-198; HS-50; Avg-19.80; SR-143.47

Didn't set the IPL on fire with his performances. Got injured and had to sit out and that affected his rhythm. But impact players like him are one innings away from returning to top form. The only problem for him is motivation. India's first two games are against Bangladesh and Ireland and he has a reputation of struggling against the minnows.

Gautam Gambhir Age: 27
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Team Delhi
M-15; Runs-286; HS-71*; Avg-22.00; SR-102.87

Had a brilliant season till the IPL began and then strangely went off the boil. But Twenty20 is very much his forte and his ability to walk down the track and hit the bowlers over the top psyches them out. In England, where the ball will swing and seam in June, that tactic will also prove to be handy as it will negate movement.

Harbhajan Singh Age: 28
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Mumbai Indians
M-13; Best-4/17; Avg-21.33; Eco-5.81; SR-22.0

Is in top form, but wasn't used very smartly by Sachin Tendulkar. If the pitches in England have a bit of moisture as is expected, he will get some help. Has adapted his bowling well to T20 and his faster one is a great tool. Don't discount his big hitting which may come in handy lower down.

Ravindra Jadeja Age: 20
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Team Jaipur
M-13; Runs-295; HS-42; Avg-26.81; SR-110.90
Bowling: M-13; Wkts-6; Best-3/15;
Avg-25.16; Eco-6.47

Was one of the mainstays for Team Jaipur. He can strike the big blows and rotate the strike well. His left-arm-spin is underrated, but can cause havoc. Watch out for him in the field. His quick-silver fielding in square-off positions can trigger run outs. Is a safe catcher too.

Zaheer Khan
Age: 30
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Mumbai Indians
M-6; Wkts-6; Best-3/31; Avg-23.66;
SR-21.00; Eco-6.76

Got injured at a vital time in the IPL as he looked to be in very good form and great rhythm. He will return to the country where he rediscovered his zest for bowling and reinvented himself after being shabbily treated by the Chappell regime. He can strike in the powerplays and apply the squeeze by bowling yorkers in the death. Can strike meaty blows low down the order too.

Praveen Kumar Age: 22
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Royal Challengers
M-13; Wkts-13; Best-3/30; Avg-30.30;
Eco-7.93; SR-22.90

Will love English conditions as he is a swing bowler. Has the knack of getting wickets in his first over. Has a good yorker and slower one.