As was inevitable, Dinesh Mongia's selection in India's World Cup squad has led to his being asked to join the Indian team currently playing a one-day series in New Zealand. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the BCCI, said: "We are trying to send Mongia to New Zealand in time for the fourth one-dayer on January 4, but everything depends on when a visa is obtained."

"We hope he will get valuable practice before the World Cup," Dalmiya continued, "especially because the pitches in New Zealand are similar to those in South Africa."

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