Pathan set for return to India squad with rhythm back

Vadodara, Jan 30 (UNI) Left arm pacer Irfan Pathan is all set to return to the India team and that too on his home turf, as India continue their search for the elusive all-rounder with the World Cup just a month away when the hosts meet West Indies in the fourth and final one-day match at the IPCL ground here tomorrow.

The Indian think tank is still looking for an all-rounder at number six or seven, who can contribute substantially with the bat and also be able to bowl well and they would be looking upto Irfan Pathan to do that role even as the hosts grapple with problems of form with their top players.

In the last game at Chennai, India, after getting a dream start being 235 for four after 35 overs, floundered to be bowled out for 268 with their tail once again showing their incapability with the bat.

The Indian batting itself has shown to be heavily dependent on two to three players with players of the class like Sachin Tendulkar, inspite of his half century in the last match, not firing on all cylinders.

With this being the last match of the series, Dravid and coach Chappell will look at a much improved all round performance especially at the top where players like Gautam Gambhir, tried in place of Virender Sehwag, not clicking as they should. However, the form of Robin Uthappa in the last match, the only chance he has got so far, would have brought some cheers to Dravid and the think tank.

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