India is looking for both as Dravid said. The team selected is the likely World Cup team and surely they are looking for this match to win - so both the short term and long term goals are being taken care of.

Winning is important but equally important is finding a core team for the World Cup. We still have to find 1 middle order bat who can finish off the game in style and also a bowler who can bowl at the death and contribute with the bat as well. So, we need to try and play a few players and this is a correct decision by the team management. If Uthappa comes good the opening slot can be taken by Ganguly and Uthappa.

We are not Auastralia or for that matter even Bangladesh and Kenya who can chop and change whenever they like for completley different reasons.....india should look to win all matches with the best team...perplexing that ganguly who had not played even a single one dayer over the last year..was rested for the last game....

I think that India should strongly concentrate on the World Cup. They should examine the tactics by the west indians and the sri lankans in the coming days. This experience would pay off well when India clashes with srilanka nad maybe with west indies.

It does not matter on win here. Try for it but not that important. Important is : Make a good international practice, get confidence back for key players, Check new player and see ahead for world cup- most important is not getting injured at this time, it can not be afforded.

I think India has lot of unanswered questions.Last year India started to find the answers with the sri lanka series,but now they are back to where they started.India needs irfan pathan to fire,if they want to stand a chance in the world cup.

With the World Cup around the corner, India has to fine-tune its team. They know that they can win and confidence at this stage is not an issue.
With Sri Lanka come in next, they can go all out for wins in the second half of that series.

When you play international cricket representing your country, you should play for win and pride, rather than trying to find out potential stars. That level is not a platform for that. Otherwise, why don't you give me a try, I have done nothing (wrong) till now.

India need to win this game. Another chance for Tendulkar and other batsman to prove their worth. Make full use of Baroda pitch. Score around 330

India needs to play to win. They need to build up their confidence only through winning. Even a medicore bunch of players will do well if the team is on a high. Besides, having a middle order bat score or a opening combination work in 2-3 matches is not good enough to take them to world cup. Remember world cup is not happening at home. We need people who have certain experience playing in conditions abroad. BOTTOMLINE - They need to win.

I Should suggest rather than fighting to win this bilateral series, India should eye on answering their long term woes, especially the middle order bat & reasonable pace attack. Its good they have Pathan back, as he usually been goog at home ! Upto him to perform ! Another one is Yuvi ... should get a clip thro' his bat. This will be a good combo for the upcoming World Cup ! But I am not clear to why Powar was dropped preferred to Kumble/Bajju.

The Indian team has been trying for too long to set things up. They should concentrate on winning...nothing else will give them more confidence down the line. With the World Cup coming up, they should already have a set combination and now get into the mindset of winning matches...convincingly. Too much experimentation led to what happened in South Africa...

Its not a good idea to experiment and shuffle, on a consistent basis. The reason, is that India, hasnt had great success in ODI's, in the last few months. Consistency is completely lacking. The bottom line for any game is to win, and we should go with the best possible resources in the side. Playes like VVS should be given a fair chance.

I strongly feel India should concentrate on what you call "smaller victories". When India plays WI in the latter stages of the WC, nobody will remember what happened in the 4th ODI at Vadodara. Having Pathan, Sehwag & Yuvraj in full flow is definitely worth more than a 3-1 series win against WI in what is only a dress rehearsal.

Theres no question that the windies have posed a question for the Indian team. But my opinion is that India should go in to field thier best team. The reason being that if we win, it automaticlly will give the players we are looking for as only a team which performs can win. So either the openers or middle bat or bowlers will make the flag fly high for us. Either way we get the players for future. Whats all the more important is the habbit to win. Go for the kill INDIA.

I think this match is a must win for India in terms of gaining confidence and finding the right combination. Also, this victory will give India a morale boost. I know, not everything would fall in a right manner and there always is a room for improvement. But I think players should try to make most out of this match and more importantly step up. So a win now and this will set things up for the World Cup.

As a build-up to the World Cup..teams that win series now would be going with a high morale. At the same time I sincerely believe that it is high time that we stop experimenting any further...as after so much time and experimentations if the winning combination could not be found...then there is certainly a flaw in the plan itself. Therefore to win this one we should try this one with the best or strongest team possible. Having said that, the team combination for today's game looks like more or similar to the final playing XI for the World Cup. The only possible difference here might be the inclusion of Sehwag...for which we might have to wait and watch.

Some of the basics that the teams had developed in the late 90's was to send in a 'Pinch Hitter' if the first wicket falls between the 6 - 12 th over. Pathan or Dhoni can be given a go..and maybe a little cameo can help the team in having more options during the world cup.

India, i think should go all out and try to win this match since i feel this would prepare them mentally for the worldcup. The second thing will fall into place if India keeps winning match. So be it this match or the next series against Srilanka India should try do its best to win the series.

The series with WestIndies is very good opportunity for india to select the best team for world cup. India is trying to see the best combination for the next biggest event. The team they placed for the 4th one day is almost the final 11 to play world cup. They might consider having Sewhag instead of Kumble to have to second spinner option and use him at number 6 in batting just before Dhoni and after UV

Surely you can not leave Sehwag out of the World Cup squad.
It doesn't really matter I suppose because there is no team remotely capable of beating Australia with their current determination and drive (yes they have talent also - but its the sheer will to win that makes them the No.1 team). I hope India discovers this also.

i think finally the indian team has got confidence and are playing well today, this confidence will make them win today,and that will help us in the world cup, i think this team is good, and should go in the world cup without any changes.all the best india.