India squad for ODI series 2008

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain)

An aggressive batsman, Dhoni rose to prominence as a leader after steering India to triumph at the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. He was handed the captaincy for the one-day team soon after. The wicketkeeper-batsman has led from the front, steering India to series triumphs in Australia and Sri Lanka.

Gautam Gambhir

Widely regarded as India's best player of spin, the left-handed batsman is a perfect foil for opening partner Sehwag. He is aggressive, uses his feet well, and is particularly strong on the off side and is a safe close-in fielder.

Zaheer Khan

The spearhead of India's attack, Zaheer has gone from strength to strength following a long period out in the wilderness due to injury. He comes into the series following highly successful performances against Australia and for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He bowls at a fair pace, swings the ball both ways and generates reverse swing. He hits the ball hard too.

Virat Kohli

The captain of India's 2008 Under-19 World Cup-winning team, Kohli made his debut as a makeshift opener in the one-day series against Sri Lanka after Sehwag was ruled out due to injury. The right-handed batsman finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer of the series. He is aggressive and particularly strong on the off-side.

Pragyan Ojha

The talented left-arm spinner made his debut during the tri-series in Bangladesh earlier this year, forcing his way into the team following a fairly successful performance with Deccan Chargers in the IPL. He claimed three first-innings wickets in a tour match against Australia.

Munaf Patel

Touted as India's fastest bowler, he has banked heavily on pace but has recently added reverse swing to his repertoire. He has come in for severe criticism for his fielding and is injury prone.

Yusuf Pathan

Pathan’s ability to score runs quickly - he had the highest strike rate in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy - and impressive performances in the 2006/07 Twenty20 domestic tournament was rewarded with a spot in India's squad for the ICC World Twenty20, but he played just one match. He has also played one-day internationals against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Suresh Raina

The aggressive left-hander has struggled to cement his place in the team but finally delivered as he slammed two centuries at the Asia Cup. He backs up his batting with electric fielding.

Virender Sehwag

Audacious strokeplay usually marks Sehwag's stay at the crease. Great hand-to-eye co-ordination makes up for minimal footwork. He is a nerveless batsman who once reached a Test triple century with a six. He also bowls effective off-spin and is an athletic fielder.

Ishant Sharma

He formed a potent new-ball combination with Zaheer Khan after he rose to prominence in the Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia earlier this year and emerged as India's highest wicket-taker in the CB Series. The 20-year-old is quick, moves the ball off the seam and also generates conventional and reverse swing.

Rohit Sharma

The classy middle-order batsman has been accused of throwing it away after doing the hard work on several occasions in the past. The 21-year-old made his mark at the World Twenty20 and followed it up with decent performances in Sri Lanka and a century in the tour match against Australia.

Harbhajan Singh

His performances on the field make as much news as his antics off it. The 28-year-old off-spinner – just five wickets short of the 200-mark in ODIs – rarely flights the ball, but can spin it a long way. He uses the doosra quite effectively and is a handy batsman down the order.

RP Singh

A five-wicket haul against England at Lord's ranks highly in the 22-year-old left-arm seamer's list of achievements. His stock ball is the one that comes into the right-handers, but he can swing the ball either way.

Yuvraj Singh

The left-hander showcased his big-hitting ability at the World Twenty20 when he slammed England's Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over. He has the potential to destroy any attack and is an exceptional fielder. He also chips in with useful left-arm spin.

M Vijay

Vijay was picked for the India A squad to face New Zealand A in two Tests at the start of the 2008-09 season, and scored 200 runs in four innings. He finished as the Challenger Trophy's second-highest run-scorer. After making 243 in the Ranji Trophy he was called up for the fourth Test against Australia in Nagpur. He is yet to make his one-day international debut.