New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Sharad Pawar, said on Thursday that former India captain Sourav Ganguly had been named in the India team's probables list on the basis of his own ability and politics has nothing to do with the decision.

``There is no question of Sourav helping me since the BCCI or I have nothing to do with the local elections in Bengal. We did not ask Sourav to come and help anyone in the CAB elections. As far as Sourav's selection is concerned, if a list (of probables) is compiled with more than 15 players, it is obvious that Sourav will find a place in that.

"The decision has nothing to do with the BCCI or me. It is an independent decision of the selection committee and whatever decision they have taken is on board,'' Pawar said in an interview to Aaj Tak when asked if the reason for Ganguly's return was his open support for the anti-Dalmiya candidate in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections.

However, Pawar refused to divulge if Ganguly would actually find a place in the final team. "That I don't know. It is up to the captain and the coach to decide,'' he added.

Selection on merit

In Kolkata, Ganguly's elder brother Snehashis and relatives see his selection a result of his merit and experience and not because of the controversial e-mail he sent before the CAB elections.

Talking to the media, Snehashis said, "the e-mail and his selection are two different things and should be seen separately.

"There is no relation whatsoever among them. Sourav's selection should be seen for cricketing reasons only,'' he added. — UNI

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