The Hindu : Sport : Team selection today

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Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007
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Team selection today

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: The national selectors will on Tuesday afternoon pick the Indian team for the seven-match One-day series against England and whittle down a large list of 30 probables to 15 for the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup to be held in South Africa from September 11 to 24.

Absent from the T20 probables are Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Expressing lack of interest for the two-week long event, Dravid told the BCCI and Chairman of Selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar that they have the liberty to announce the initial list without them. The selectors had picked the 30 probables almost a month ago.

Focus on Dhoni

By opting out of the Twenty20 World Cup, the trio gave an opportunity to the selectors to bring in a freshman as captain of the Indian team.

Impressed by the rapid progress he has made in recent times, the selectors elevated Mahendra Singh Dhoni as vice-captain for the Future Cup series against South Africa in Ireland. Dhoni’s appointment as captain for the Twenty20 World Cup — ahead of Virender Sehwag — is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday at the Cricket Centre, Wankhede Stadium.

Sehwag’s chances

Poor form and attitude went against Sehwag’s selection for the Future Cup and the Test series against England, but the flamboyant opener is certain to be recalled for the Twenty20 event.

His recall for the One-day series against England is a matter of conjecture and it would largely depend on how well the selectors are convinced that he has done enough to return to the Indian ranks. Strong indications though are that the four selectors — Sanjay Jagdale, Ranjib Biswal, Venkatapathy Raju and Bhupinder Singh — and Chairman Vengsarkar, who is in London, may not tinker with the 15 they picked for the Future Cup.

For the first time the selectors would look at 30 probables for a Twenty20 competition. They will be guided by performances in the one-day tournaments — the inter-zonal All Star Series and Premier Cup events.

Baroda’s Yusuf Pathan could be optimistic of gaining a place in the 15-member team.

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