Chance for others to prove World Cup worth: Dhoni

India skipper dhoni feels the absence of Gambhir, Sehwag, Praveen Kumar in firstu00a0ODI against sa today, gives others a chance to prove their World Cup worth

In 20 one-day internationals against South Africa in their own backyard, India have won just three and lost 16. These figures are unlikely to spell outright confidence for the visitors. To make matters worse, India will be without three key members of their potential final World Cup XI ufffd Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Praveen Kumar.

However, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in his typically positive standpoint, reckons it is a 'win-win situation' for youngsters, who will,u00a0 in all likelihood, be overlooked to make way for the above mentioned players, when the World Cup squad is announced before January 19. The likes of Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are stopgap arrangements. Virat Kohli, however, is almost certain to seal a berth in the 15-man WC squad.

"If these guys (substitute players) do well here, they will get top priority when we select squads to tour England and Australia later this year. They will gain a good reputation. It is a win-win situation for them. They can give selectors one final chance to pick them for the World Cup, or press claims for selections later in the year. It is healthy," said Dhoni.

First XI absent
India hasn't featured their first-choice playing eleven since February 2010, a fact that Dhoni rued. "It would have been nice to have the best playing eleven. Since last February we haven't had the best eleven. We have been risking injuries, and want to save the best for the World Cup. I am okay if they miss this series (against SA) as long as we get a fully-fit squad for all the games in the World Cup. That's the priority," said Dhoni.

Dhoni said the toss would play a crucial role ahead of today's first ODI. "In South African conditions, it is always better to bat during the day time, because the white Kookaburra ball does a lot in the evening. In 2006, we lost all the games here but this is a completely different side. This is our last stop before the World Cup and I am confident of a better performance this time," he added.

For the record, today's game would be Sachin Tendulkar's first ODI since his historical double-century at Gwalior against South Africa last year.

Kallis injured
Meanwhile, Dhoni's opposite number, Graeme Smith isn't in a similar predicament,u00a0 with only Jacques Kallis ruled out due to injury. "World Cup selections are just around the corner, so it is a tough time because it's every player's dream to go to the World Cup. There is a lot of extra pressure on players at the moment to perform. It is a very crucial time for everyone. The next one week is very important," Smith said.

"It's about finding the right combinations, but we also have to realise that the World Cup is being played under totally different conditions to what we will be playing here," he added.u00a0