India needs to strengthen middle order: W V Raman

Hyderabad, Feb 11 (UNI) India needs to strengthen middle order in case opening batsmen fail to deliver in the World Cup, former India all rounder and Tamil Nadu coach W V Raman said.

Speaking to 'UNI', the former international cricketer who had represented India in 27 ODI's said, ''we need to pick some experienced players like V V S Laxman or in-form player Dinesh Karthik to strengthen down the order, with Sachin and Dravid playing at number three and number four''.

''We do not know the fitness level of Yuvaraj Singh. If he fails to impress selectors, we need quality players to replace him.

Selectors must look out for senior players like Laxman who had a good record in West Indies, and Dinesh Karthik who has done well recently and not Suresh Raina who is struggling'' he added.

Raman wanted selectors to go for a winning combination. Seven batsmen, one keeper and also seven bowlers' combination would give India enough space to shuffle within the team to extract the best possible results, he said.

He also wanted Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag to play a greater role in helping India get good opening partnerships. ''I think even we must opt for explosive opening combination of Sehwag and Ganguly. It is a big occassion and both are experienced batsmen, they will pose a threat to the opposition and give confidence to Indian dressing room''.

He said, whether India needed a third opener or not, was not a big question. ''We have Sachin Tendulkar in the team anyway. He would open the innings if required and we could always think of Dinesh Karthik too as opener if he would be there in the squad,'' he explained.

He disagreed with the idea of Sehwag coming down the order even in case Sachin Tendulkar was moved to the opening slot. ''Sehwag is an aggressive opening batsman, if I am the captain I would not put Sehwag down the order. We have seen Sachin doing good in the middle order, let him remain there for the sake of the team'', he added.

Raman praised the young bowlers, in the side.

''Players like Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel and off course two spinners should be picked. And I do not know which combination they are looking out for. Whether they are going to pick five pacers and two spinners or four pace bowlers and three spinners'', he said.

He said India required more or less two spinners, since Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag were ready to share the spin burden. ''And offcourse if Yuvaraj fits, he can bowl as well. If we can go for four seemers and two spinners with one all rounder, Irfan Pathan is the only option,'' he opined.

UNI