Former captain Sourav Ganguly looks set to reclaim his one-day spot for the upcoming home series against West Indies when selectors pick the squad on Friday.

The 34-year-old player, one of only five batsmen to score more than 10,000 one-day runs, was sacked as India skipper and one-day player in October 2005 due to his batting slump before he was axed from Tests early last year.

He made a strong comeback during the 2-1 Test series defeat in South Africa last week, however, emerging the most successful Indian batsman by aggregating 214 runs.

The selectors will name the side for the first two of four matches starting on Jan. 21, which would be followed by a similar series against visiting Sri Lanka.

India's struggling one-day side is also expected to welcome back middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh, who was sidelined in November after he tore knee ligaments during the ICC Champions Trophy.

"His doctor and the team physio are satisfied with his progress but they want to test him in a match situation," the Indian board's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty told Reuters on Thursday.

Yuvraj, seen as key to India's World Cup fortunes, passed a fitness test on Thursday and was due to play a local game in Mumbai on Friday.

Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar said some newcomers could be fielded in the two home series before the World Cup.

"Form and fitness is very important and will be the criteria for selection," he told reporters in Mumbai. "Lots of players who have done well in first class cricket will get opportunities."

Young left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan is being watched after being sent home from South Africa to regain his rhythm in domestic cricket.

Vengsarkar said he regarded Pathan as crucial for the World Cup.

"Him bowling is very important to us," he said. "He is a fantastic cricketer who has bowled extremely well in the past. "The more he bowls he will regain form and his place in the team."