After the ignominy of a first-round exit at the World Twenty20, India cannot afford another slip-up in South Africa.
Injuries have denied India the explosive power of Virender Sehwag at the top of the order and the guile of seamer Zaheer Khan. Both will be huge losses as they look to recapture the title they shared with Sri Lanka in 2002.
However, they have the top two ranked batsmen in the world, Mahendra Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, along with Sachin Tendulkar, scorer of 44 one-day centuries and counting, along with the recalled Rahul Dravid and the immensely talented Suresh Raina.
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma's Test form has not quite translated to the limited overs format, while Ashish Nehra, RP Singh and Praveen Kumar will be expected to step up in Zaheer's absence.
Six hitters: Mahendra Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh
Death bowler extraordinaire: Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh
Toe-cruncher: Ishant Sharma
Best fielder: Suresh Raina
Who are you?: Abhishek Nayar (Batting all-rounder yet to bat or bowl for India despite boasting two one-day caps)
Squad: Mahendra Dhoni (capt), Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Praveen Kumar, Amit Mishra, Abhishek Nayar.
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