The Hindu : Sport : Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla get a look in

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 24, 2006

Sport

Sport

Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla get a look in

Nandakumar Marar

Ganguly omitted to make way for youngsters; Sreesanth, V.R.V. Singh included

— File photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BIG BREAK: Suresh Raina did well in the one-dayers in Pakistan and also in the Ranji Trophy final to make it to the Test side.

VADODARA: Indian cricket opted to move beyond Sourav Ganguly in search of long-term batting solutions in time for the first Test against England at Nagpur. The selection committee, chaired by Kiran More, opted for youthful middle-order batsmen Mohd. Kaif and Suresh Raina, instead of falling back on experienced former India captain. The injury to in-form Yuvraj Singh had created a vacancy in the batting order.

The team was announced by More and BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah at IPCL stadium on Thursday. Pace bowler Vikram Raj Vir Singh and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla are surprise selections into the 15-member squad for the Nagpur Test from March 1.

Chairman of selectors Kiran More was clear about reasons for Ganguly omission. "The team's performance in the one-day series in Pakistan was encouraging. The way the youngsters delivered showed that Indian cricket needs fresh blood. Test cricket is a different ball game, but the selectors are looking at the future. Mohd Kaif and Suresh Raina are more important for us in that direction. From now on, we will stick to youngsters."

`Tough call'

BCCI chief Shah said president Sharad Pawar has been informed about the Indian team selection. National team skipper Rahul Dravid was consulted over the phone. Chappell was not available for comment after the meeting at IPCL stadium, venue of the three-day tour game between England and Board President's XI. Ganguly has not been informed before the team announcement, though More, replying to a query, emphasised that he will be speaking to the left-hander, one of India's most successful captains.

More said: "It was a tough call. Players go through these things in their career. I have experienced it. Ganguly is a great player and will always be respected for his achievements. I think that is the best part about international cricket." To a query whether the doors have been shut for the left-hander, the selectors chairman pointed out that "as far as this selection committee is concerned, there is no looking back."

Yuvraj Singh's absence due to hamstring strain puts the onus on Kaif or Raina to boost the Indian middle-order till the explosive batsman's return to match fitness, in the company of skipper Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar. More ruled out apprehensions on Kaif's ability to perform in keeping with demands of Test cricket. "One or two failures does not mean the end of a talented cricketer. Kaif's form has been excellent in the domestic season, leading UP to the Ranji Trophy victory and one-day presence is encouraging. Piyush Chawla's performances under pressure in Ranji Trophy and in India's U-19 World Cup campaign showed that there is talent in him. We are creating space for youngsters to make a mark."

Pace department

S. Sreesanth is the new face in Indian's pace bowling department, getting a nod on the strength of ability and attitude shown over five one-dayers in Pakistan. The Kerala speedster, included in the Board President's XI probables but not played against the Englishmen, will partner Irfan Pathan, promising R.P. Singh being the third option. More and Shah expressed satisfaction over fitness status of Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh, both forced to return from Pakistan after suffering injuries.

V.R.V. Singh gets a look-in on potential instead of current form. The Punjab pace prospect made waves in the 2005 Challenger Series and domestic cricket this season, but an ankle injury put a spoke in his selection. The selectors named him among the national probables, but the player could not clear the fitness test last time. Now he gets another opportunity to prove himself fitness and worthy of taking the place of Zaheer Khan in the Test squad. Singh was under watch in the Board President's XI game, edging out Munaf Patel whose timely five-wicket haul on selection day went in vain.

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