By Ayanjit Sen

Suresh Raina celebrates victory over Sri Lanka in Pune

The decision to begin an evolutionary process in the Indian team is certainly paying off against Sri Lanka.

With a number of established players in their 30s and others not far behind, the introduction of newcomers is essential with the World Cup barely two years away.

Consistent domestic performances have helped young cricketers like Venugopal Rao, Suresh Raina, Shanathakumaran Sreesanth and Rudra Pratap Singh to showcase their talents on a higher stage.

Rao has a first class average of over 53, having first attracted attention with an unbeaten 228 against England A two years ago.

The 23-year-old produced another double century for India A against a Kenya to finally earn a chance in the senior side and a well crafted 38 off 41 balls against Sri Lanka at Pune on Thursday enhcnaced his future prospects.

"You have to make use of your chance to play in the national team. Venugopal got his chance and I think he has performed reasonably well," former Indian fast bowler Sunil Valson told BBC Sport.

"It is a healthy sign that youngsters like Rao and Suresh Raina are being groomed properly and not given one-off games. It has happened in the past that many newcomers have just faded away after playing one or two matches."

Captain Rahul Dravid sees the recent performances of the newcomers as a good sign for the future.

Youngest of all is 18-year-old batsman, Suresh Raina who has been fast-tracked after appearing at the last under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

You have several options to choose from and that is what makes the difference Sunil Valson

And observers believe he could be a good Test prospect if he continues his good-run in one-day side.

But talented bowlers are also slowly making their presence felt

Sreesanth, 22, has played two one-dayers so far, taking 2-39 in his first game and performing respectably in the second.

He is the only bowler from his home state, Kerala, to take a first-class hat-trick, but his early progress was hampered by a hamstring problem.

But he returned with a remodelled side-on action and good performances in a domestic competition earned him his call-up.

Sreesanth claims his first international wicket

Another talented youngster, 19-year-old Rudra Pratap Singh, has joined the long line of Indian left-arm seamers and he is hoping for another chance to prove himself in the current series.

His only one-day apearance so far came against a weak Zimbabwe side, when he claimed 2-44 from eight overs.

"These young talented players have performed well but the real tests lie overseas," said former India seam bowler Madan Lal.

Bucking the trend is 31-year-old Jai Prakash Yadav, who has fought his way back into the side with consistent performances in domestic cricket, playing for Railways, after making his international debut in 2002.

He is an opening batsman in first-class cricket but his spirited 69 against New Zealand in August was made batting at number nine.

It was a knock many will remember for its grit and determination, even though ultimately it was in a losing cause.

India's overall strength in depth is growing stronger.

"You have several options to choose from and that is what makes the difference," added Valson, who was member of India's World Cup-winning squad in 1983.

Time will tell whether the current policy of selectors and coach Greg Chappell will enable India to win it again in two years time.