This tournament should see a few of India's best and most overused players rested- they don't need to play all 3 of Sachin, Laxman and Dravid- and Kumble DEFINITELY needs a rest. Dravid has done a lot of hard work playing big, commanding innings, so he can stretch his legs a little.
Sachin is too defensive to open in ODI's, so he should go down to number 4, unless he starts attacking again. With Yuvraj likely to open, he should open a few innings. He can get more than a heap- a mountain of runs, if he can attack Murali and not get two left feet against him. Even Chopra can be given a try and Gautam Gambhir, despite average performances in Dhaka, may do a lot better this time.
They can also use Irfan Pathan's batting skills at Number 3 frequently, like Klusener, Razzaq and Cairns. That way, he will practice his batting a lot more often, though bowling is his main strength. When he has the talent, why waste it in the tail?
Ramesh Powar should play the role of frontline spinner. He is definitely the right choice, given he challenges the batsmen quite often. A far better choice than Murali Karthik, to play as a single spinner. The bowling ability of Sehwag can also be tested and used to balance the team.
A batsman who can bowl medium-pace should also play. Someone like a JP Yadav or a Reetinder Sodhi, who is a batsman, can play the role of a third seamer, so that 2 spinners can play, alongside 2 seamers. They may not have much pace, but nor do the other Indian 'fast' bowlers. On these flat pitches, the last thing you need to have are 3 medium-pacers.
A major problem with the Indian ODI team is ground fielding, but it won't be solved if the captain can't bend to stop a ball. That can even rub off on the rest of the teaam, even Yuvraj and Kaif. Wicketkeeping is another area of concern- in almost every ODI since the home series against Zimbabwe, the Indians have never played a wicketkeeper- and chose an extra batsman- the most negative and nonsensical tactic ever. In fact, it is so useless, that the Indians have conceded 8 300+ totals without a wicketkeeper. At least this time, they have Parthiv, but he's far from good enough to keep in international matches- he needs to sharpen his skills elsewhere. Mumbai's Vinayak Samant is a lot better.
Let Munaf stretch himself and save some runs. International cricket can come later.
The Lankans don't have to play Murali, since the crucial tour of Australia is coming up. That is more important than some pointless exhibition tournament. He needs to have some rest, if he will have to bowl 40 overs in Australia.
