Kumble summoned to lead in Challenger

Azhar, who was retained today as India’s captain for the back-to-back limited overs tournaments at Dhaka (Wills Cup nine-nation event from October 24) and Sharjah (tri-nation event from November 6), and Tendulkar have opted out of the event, billed as the selection trial for the two tournaments.

Ganguly too wanted to be excused from the event citing a hamstring problem but has been told to play in the tournament by the Indian board (BCCI) president Raj Singh Dungarpur, according to board sources.

Ganguly is expected to reach here by tomorrow morning in time for his team’s (India B) opening round-robintie against India Seniors. But all these changes from the originally named teams by the selectors, including the replacement of the injured Jatin Paranjpe by Mithun Minhas in the India A squad, has left every one confused.

Robin Singh was today shifted from India to India B team, following the reported withdrawal of Ganguly wich had left the former team with only eleven players.

Azhar’s replacement Jyoti Yadav is now to play for India B as opener in place of Tendulkar. Efforts are still on to persuade Tendulkar to play at least in the October 18 final in case India B makes it to that round, board sources added.

In addition, the inclement weather too has thrown a damper with today’s opening match between India and India A affected by overnight unseasonal rains.