Catching the shortbus

Virender Sehwag

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	13	356	29.67	0/3	90.36

Rating - Indifferent

Two nineties in the West Indies and a risky 65 in the crucial Champions Trophy provided glimpses of Sehwag's ability to pulverise an attack but there was a barren period in between that made one ask serious questions. He was shunted down the batting order for three games in Malaysia but his repeated failure against the incoming delivery was frustrating to start with and predictable thereafter. He turned in a couple of useful spells in West Indies but wasn't utilised with the ball since.

Sachin Tendulkar

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	8	298	49.67	1/1	76.02

Rating - Indifferent

An average of 49.67 suggests a special phase but that's largely because of the unbeaten 141 he smashed against West Indies at Kuala Lumpur. His failure in the big games needs to be examined - 66 runs in six innings against Australia is a let down by any standards - as does his slowing reflexes when faced with quality fast bowling. A demotion down the order may not be as bad an idea as it sounds.

Rahul Dravid

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	13	302	25.17	1/1	76.02

Rating - Indifferent

A decision to promote him up the order yielded early results but soon began to hurt India. While his bad form affected his side at the top of the order his absence in the later stages left a large void when the death approached. The folly behind the move was apparent when he strung together two fine knocks in the Champions Trophy from the middle. His catching in the slips continues to be inconsistent.

Yuvraj Singh

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	9	237	33.86	0/2	64.40

Rating - Indifferent

Two fine innings in the Caribbean was followed by a horror series in Malaysia, where he bagged a pair of ducks, and an insipid showing in the Champions Trophy. A viral fever prior to the DLF Cup in Kuala Lumpur might have played its part but it's hardly an excuse for someone who, after six years in the circuit, is expected to shoulder a bulk of responsibility. His fielding remains an asset but it's with the bat that he needs to do more of the talking.

Mohammad Kaif

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	9	257	42.83	0/3	66.93

Rating - Good

It must be confusing being Mohammad Kaif at the moment. First he was persisted with while enduring a barren run, then he rediscovered his form in the West Indies and then, just when things appeared to be settling into place, he was given the chop. The energy and composure he brings in the middle overs can act as the perfect glue for the line-up that's stocked with strokeplayers. His fielding adds tremendous zing to the side and it's time he stopped worrying about his place in the side.

Suresh Raina

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	12	173	17.30	0/0	65.53

Rating - Poor

Raina isn't the first person to suffer second-season blues and he won't be the last. He showed glimpses of matchwinning ability in his early games but has since then done little of note. He's managing to stay in the XI largely because of his fielding ability but there has to come a time when somebody says enough is enough. It's no humiliation to go back to the domestic school, gain experience and come back a better player. A failure to reverse the trend in South Africa could see the end of the beginning. But when you're 20, when you're blessed with talent, being dropped may not be such a bad thing.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	13	224	22.40	0/1	77.78

Rating - Indifferent

His wicketkeeping is coming along just fine but it was yet another case of second-season blues with the bat. India missed a trick by not sending him up higher in the order, especially since he averages 64.25 at No.3 with two matchwinning hundreds and a fifty. He's not been able to summon the final kick on many occasions but the two sensible innings in the Champions Trophy showed he's finding his groove again.

Irfan Pathan

	Matches	Runs	Avg	H/F	SR
	10	117	13.00	0/1	71.78

	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	11	29.90	3/45	5.67

Rating - Poor

The contrast with previous season makes Pathan's performances appalling. His fall from lynchpin to liability has impacted on India's overall results and it's time the problem is diagnosed. Is he primarily a bowler? If so, does he need to be burdened with batting responsibility? If not, does he deserve a place in the side? His fine bowling against England in the Champions Trophy turned into a false dawn and India need to take a firm decision on Pathan. And soon. It may come down to a choice between playing him as a batsman - hoping he regains bowling confidence - and sending him back to Baroda. The latter may be the better option.

Harbhajan Singh

	Matches	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	13	11	37.27	3/35	3.76

Rating - Good

He's been forced to restrict rather than attack - partly because of the lack of runs on the board and partly because of the opening bowling being scattergun - but he's been the side's most consistent bowler. He's had his threatening phases as well, running rings around Australia in Malaysia, and several teams have paid him a back-handed compliment by simply playing out his ten overs. His helicopter-style batting and sprightly fielding will always come in handy.

Munaf Patel

	Matches	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	11	13	30.23	3/18	4.64

Rating - Good

Initial disappointments in the Caribbean were followed by improvement in every game thereafter. The transformation from the erratic quick to the more accurate opening bowler has paid dividends and his straight lines haven't allowed too many opposition teams to get away. It's probably worth remembering that he reached here after a couple of seasons in domestic cricket, including a harrowing period missed owing to injury. India, like they did with Munaf, need to be a bit more patient before pinch-forking young bowlers straight into the big league.

Ajit Agarkar

	Matches	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	12	17	22.88	2/22	4.18

Rating - Good

He was India's best bowler on the West Indies tour and finally, after eight years of international cricket, showed glimpses of being a lead bowler. He improved on his economy and sized up the conditions early. The four-ball he concedes every over remains a worry, especially in tight games, but there's little one can do when you're perennially defending a total that's 20 or 30 short.

Sreesanth

	Matches	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	5	6	37.66	2/25	5.04

Rating - Indifferent

He's probably won the race for speed but it's not an attribute that's going to suffice on its own. He's improved, no doubt, but his penchant to veer towards the erratic must be corrected. His exclusion from the initial Champions Trophy squad was a mistake and India missed an incisive bowler early on.

Ramesh Powar

	Matches	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	5	7	25.28	3/24	4.78

Rating - Indifferent

On the small grounds in the West Indies, Powar's style of bowling - flighty and slow - were meat and drink for the big-hitters but he came back well in the first match of the Champions Trophy. He didn't get a chance in Malaysia, where the pitches were more suited to the seamers, and missed out to the more illustrious Anil Kumble for the South Africa tour. Powar's problem was probably not making a handy contribution with the bat - only 13 runs in three games in the West Indies. On Indian pitches, though, his bowling will always remain an asset.

RP Singh

	Matches	Wickets	Avg	BBI	Econ
	6	5	43.60	3/43	6.02

Rating - Poor

It came as no surprise when he was left out for the South Africa trip but RP Singh was probably again a victim of selectorial inconsistency. He was chosen for just one game in the West Indies and never got back the lift and accuracy that made him a force on his debut tour to Pakistan. India must make sure he's not lost in the maze of domestic cricket because, not so long ago, he was one of the men for the future.