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Pick and discard

Faisal Shariff

A disappointing morning, when India lost the Boxing Day Test and with it the Border-Gavaskar trophy, was followed by another disappointing event -- the BCCI selection committee meeting which picked the Indian team for the Carlton and United one-day series, involving India, Pakistan and Australia, starting on January 9.

Describing the tour Down Under so far as a major disappointment, the chariman of the selectors, Chandu Borde, and honorary secretary Jaywant Lele read out the team to play in the triangular. And sure there were many surprises in store.

Facing a barrage of questions from the media, the duo responded in customary fashion, saying selection was done with an emphasis on youth though one got the feeling that they forgot that perseverance pays. Why else have T Kumaran, Vijay Bharadwaj (the Nairobi man of the series), M S K Prasad and V V S Laxman been dropped from the team that is doing Test duty in Australia?

Here are excerpts from the press briefing that followed the selection committee meeting:

Chandu Borde: "Ajay (Jadeja) had some problem with his rotator cuff, and had gone to South Africa to consult the doctors. The doctor's statement was clear. He said that he may need surgery after the rehabilitation programme if he does not get all right. An extensive 35-day schedule was given by Mark Fergusson. He said that he has to undergo the rehabilitation programme and after that start training by throwing from 15 yards, 25 yards and then 50 yards. Only after that he will be in a position to play.

"Jadeja has started the rehabilitation programme from day one and we got him diagnosed at Baroda. His MRI and sonography were taken and then the doctor opined that he should wait for at least another 2-3 weeks. So the doctors have ruled him out for two or three weeks since he was examined. So in all wisdom the BCCI president took the decision that it would be better if he gets the rehabilitation programme fully done and gets himself fully fit and then offers himself for selection.

"The selection committee felt that Dighe will be useful since Ramesh is injured. So Dighe might be asked to open. Also, he is a very good one-day player."

But M S K Prasad has also opened the batting and not done too badly in that position...

Borde: "Yes but we thought that he is a better striker of the ball."

So where does Mongia stand now?

Borde: "Frankly speaking, if I tell you that we have not considered Moniga it would be not right on my part. We have considered their (coach, captain and vice-captain) suggestion also. Mongia's name was not considered for selection."

Lele: (On the Mongia issue) "Precisely on the day the selection committee was asked for a replacement for M S K Prasad, the team management, the coach of the team had specifically reported to the chairman that the team selected to go to Australia had considered two names for the wicketkeeper and since Prasad was injured his replacement should be sent. And said even if it is Mongia it is okay. So in his wisdom, the chairman selected the matter with the other four selectors and through me made all arrangements for Mongia to be sent to Australia.

"The next day the team management must have changed their minds and they tried to talk to the chairman and said that if you have decided on Mongia it is okay, but if not, then Dighe should be sent."

But what is wrong with M S K Prasad?

Borde: "We all felt that his keeping is not coming up to the mark. If the management feels that they can fill the gap then it would make sense to have Dighe in the side."

Why was Kumaran dropped?

Borde: "The thing is that we only want four medium pacers and we had to unfortunately call him back. I personally like that boy. All of us feel that he is a promising youngster, but we have to accommodate the team combination. That is one of the reasons."

And Azharuddin?

Borde: "We discussed a lot on Azhar since Ajay is also not going. But the selection committee felt that since the emphasis is on youth, we should continue with the policy and hence Azhar lost out."

The inclusion of Gandhi?

Borde: "Either Sachin or Ganguly may come down the order to bat. The wicket in Australia is bouncy and hence it is necessary to have an opener in the squad."

On Kapil's criticism of the board's itinerary:

Lele: "You will have to ask him about this. I cannot answer on his behalf."

Kapil's decision to buy a digital camera

Lele: "I have no idea. They have not even informed us. Any statements made by him, only he knows about them, I have no idea.