Mumbai: The National selectors are almost certain to pick a handful of new players for the three one-day internationals against Bangladesh, but may not change the team composition for the two-Test series.
The argument put forward by a senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official is: "it’s up to the selectors to pick the team, but there are a few players who have done well in the domestic tournaments and they have to be given a break in big matches.
"If they are not tried now, at least in one-day internationals, when and how will we find out about their ability to face challenges in international cricket.‘’
After a meeting with Dilip Vengsarkar, Chairman of the Selection Committee, the BCCI Secretary, Niranjan Shah, said the Indian team for the one-day internationals and Test series against Bangladesh would be chosen on April 20.
A little over 20 players — combined figure for the ODIs and Test matches in Bangladesh — are likely to be picked and all of them would attend a five-day camp at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata from May 2 to 6.
As has been the practice, cricket manager Ravi Shastri and captain Rahul Dravid will also attend the selection committee meeting in Mumbai. The Indian team will leave for Dhaka on May 7.
The All Star Series for the Prof. Deodhar Trophy and the zonal and all-India tournaments for the Premier Cup, both limited-overs tournaments, were held when the Indian team was in the West Indies for the World Cup.
The selectors — barring Sanjay Jagdale, who was in the West Indies — had a good look at the available talent. They will also get an opportunity to see some talented players in the All-India Twenty20 championship to be played in Ahmedabad and here from April 15 to 21.
The selectors have taken note of the performances, not merely for the future series in Bangladesh and England, but also for the first ICC Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
**The itinerary:
May 10 and 12: First and Second ODI, Mirpur; **
May 15: Third ODI, Chittagong; **
May 18 to 22:** First Test Chittagong May 25 to 29: Second Test, Mirpur.
MUMBAI: The national selectors will push for a young team for the tour of Bangladesh when they meet here on Friday evening.
The buzz on Thursday is that the selectors will go for youngsters like Rohit Sharma of Mumbai, Rajesh Pawar of Baroda, Ishant Sharma of Delhi, Ranadeb Bose and Manoj Tewary of Bengal. But it is unlikely that Dilip Vengsarkar and Co will leave out veterans like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly from the tour party unless there are specific instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.**
It has been learnt that the selectors will pick about 20-22 players for the ODIs and Test squads leaving out some big names from the squad that went to the World Cup. The likes of Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan and Virender Sehwag will be under the scanner while discards like RP Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Ramesh Powar could stage international comebacks.
Zaheer Khan, who has been impressive, is also under the scanner but may eventually survive the axe. S Sreesanth, however, is a doubtful starter as there is a question mark over his fitness. The Kerala pacer will be picked if he is declared fit. A report on his fitness is expected on Friday morning. The team might have a new vice-captain and it has been learnt that opinion is divided between Yuvraj Singh and Mahindra Singh Dhoni. Tendulkar was the vice-captain for the World Cup.
Both Tendulkar and Ganguly have heavy backing in the selection committee. Ganguly, who has been under fire for his batting in the World Cup, has got some support from his state association. Cricket Association of Bengal president Prasun Mukherjee sent out a message that the CAB expected the selectors to retain Ganguly in the squad. Tendulkar has the backing of Vengsarkar himself.
Given that :
BCCI President is a MARATHI
Chief of the selection committee is a MARATHI
Coach/Manager is a MARATHI
It will be a safe bet that his highness - the pride of the Marathas, Sachin Tendulkar, will not be touched.
Indian Cricket will follow the same old routine...a few 'eyewash' changes and life will go on as it has since time immemorial.
btw, I agree with Vengsarkar's opinion - There is simply no real talent in the domestic circuit at this time waiting to be given a chance. No future Dravid or Kumble as far as the eye can see.
The team might have a new vice-captain and it has been learnt that opinion is divided between Yuvraj Singh and Mahindra Singh Dhoni.
I am shocked at this statement. I hope it is not the truth. Otherwise whatever little faith I have in the wisdom of the selection committee would be forever lost.
I mean ...are we really discussing who between Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni should be made the Vice-Captain.
Far from considering Dhoni for Vice-captaincy, his place in the side should first be questioned. He is far from being a great wicket-keeper, nor is he any great shakes with the bat on an unfriendly pitch. Dinesh Karthick (thank you Greg Chappel for rediscovering him) should be seriously considered to replace him.
Yuvraj, on the other hand, performed very responsibly in the Pak tour where he was the Vice-Captain. And really, in the current Indian team, he along with Dravid are the only two players who still enjoy the faith of most Indian cricket fans.
^why is he overlooking Abid Nabi!!! This young guy has great talent I tell you
Abid Nabi, like many so-called potentials who proved to be duds, is only a great media story so far (boy from Kashmir et al). It still remains to be seen how he is really like when playing with the big boys.
Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly will not to go to Bangladesh for the three-match One-Day series but the duo will play in the two-match Test series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to **rest **Tendulkar and Ganguly for the ODIs. Rohit Sharma and Manoj Tiwary will be the new faces in the team for the ODIs.
Re: Breaking News: Sachin, Sourav dropped from ODIs
^ I don't think anyone will protest too much for ousting them permanently from ODIs. Specially since the CWC failures are fresh in ppls minds. (same ppl that burnt the effigies)
**Sachin, Sourav out of ODI team; Sehwag from Tests!
***Mumbai:* The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to send a young squad to Bangladesh for the three-match ODI series.
Announcing the team in Mumbai on Friday, BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said some senior players have been ‘rested’ from the squad for the ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh and Ajit Agarkar have been ‘rested’ from the One-Dayers.
The team for the One-Dayers includes
While Tendulkar and Ganguly have retained their place in the Test squad, Pathan, Harbhajan and Agarkar have not made the cut here too. Sehwag, too, has been dropped from the Test team.
