What does the year 2007 hold for the Indian Cricket team? Opportunities galore. Yes sir, the Indian team has a packed 2007 with very little time to breathe. The year will probably see some careers take off and the odd one tumble simply because of the volume of matches to be played.

The biggest date of course is the ICC World Cup in the West Indies from mid March to the end of April and all eyes of the cricketing world will be on this event to see if there is a team that will dethrone Australia as the World Champions. India is a team that is capable of doing so and if that happens then the celebrations will be unique indeed.

India's tuning up for the World Cup will be the eight One Day matches with West Indies and Sri Lanka. If used well these matches will give the selectors an idea of what the final squad should be. The selectors will have to think long and hard whether to use these matches to give out of form players the chance to regain their touch or to try new comers and to see whether they fit the bill. There have been quite a few who have done well in the Ranji Trophy and these guys would be hoping that their performances will get due recognition. The selectors will do well to check if the performances have come in the Elite group or the Plate group and though both are first class matches the fact is that the most of Plate group teams are not good enough to compete in the Elite group.

That's why the Duleep Trophy becomes an important tournament because it has teams based on the zonal format and affords a chance to the Plate group players to show how good they are.Ideally the Duleep Trophy should be played at the end of the group matches as it will mean recognition of current season's form rather than the previous season's deeds. There's a school of thought that feels that playing the Duleep trophy after the group matches upsets the rhythm of the teams that have qualified for the Ranji knock out stages. But would you recognize current form or previous seasons form for selection to the Duleep Trophy sides. There have been instances of players being chosen for the Duleep Trophy at the start of the season but not for their State Ranji Trophy sides a few days later.

The BCCI has to give priority to domestic cricket and ensure that the international players participate in the tournaments. Not only does it enhance the competition but it also gives a more accurate picture of the abilities of the players when they play with and against the internationals.

It would also be a good idea to have a look at the number of teams in the Elite group and see if the number in the Plate group can be reversed to the Elite group. At the moment with the Elite Division having 15 teams one group gets to play 7 Ranji matches while the other gets to play 6. In the Plate Division, both groups get to play 6 matches each. If three teams are reduced from the Elite Division not only will there be more competitive cricket but both groups will get equal number of matches. As for promotion and relegation four teams could then be promoted and relegated. This will make the competition for promotion and relegation more interesting and serve as a good incentive for the Plate division teams.

In non World Cup or Champions Trophy years the BCCI could do well to drop one limited overs tourney and concentrate on the longer version of the game. The 2007-08 season provides that opportunity for there's no limited overs international competition. Good cricketers are made by playing the traditional longer version of the game. The shorter version is good for entertainment but to sustain the standard the longer format is the one that helps a player.

Apart from the World Cup India has two tours to undertake in 2007. While England will not be easy to beat in England the Australians have shown that it is virtually impossible to defeat them at home. These two tours will be a massive challenge for the Indian team.

There's also the first ever ICC 20-20 World Cup and while India have played just one match in this format unless they do something about the athleticism they will struggle in this format which is a condensed, quicker version of the 50 overs game.

It could be a year of tournament or triumph. It could be a year when Indian cricket takes the big step forward or gets left behind. It could be the year of Chappel or chappal. An interesting year lies ahead for sure!