Perth: The Indian team have found a unique way of fitting stand-by pacer Dhawal Kulkarni into their scheme of things here at the World Cup. According to the International Cricket Council’s regulations only 15 players per team will be accredited for the World Cup. However, Kulkarni, who was retained in case another injury occurred to India’s pace bowling department, continues to be the team’s Player No 16.

The sheet bearing the name of stand-by pacer Dhawal Kulkarni (encircled) as an Indian team management member

Yesterday at the Western Australian Cricket Ground here, Kulkarni’s profile was changed, at least on paper. At the entrance of the players’ and officials’ access area, in the list of names and photographs put up, Kulkarni was put on the team management sheet that included Team India’s non-playing staff like coach Duncan Fletcher, Team Director Ravi Shastri, among others. It’s an oddity, unless of course, the pacer has been handed some kind of a coaching role, which has not been made official.