Looking at the big picture

Indian skipper Rahul Dravid gave an idea about the selectors8217; thinking. 8220;Injuries are part and parcel of the game. Not all are training-related like Yuvraj Singh8217;s knee, and Ajit Agarkar8217;s flu,8221; he said. He also went on to add that it was a global problem as teams from Pakistan, New Zealand, England and Australia too face similar problems.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah8217;s comment on the fitness of Irfan and Yuvraj was: 8220;They are not 100 per cent, so we thought we needed backup and that8217;s the reason we have drafted in RP Singh and Suresh Raina for the two games. We wanted to be absolutely sure.8221;

Shah also added that there was always the cushion of International Cricket Council allowing players8217; replacement in event of an injury. 8220;And there are no rules restricting the number of players who can be replaced,8221; he said.

The chairman of national selectors was of the view that whatever it was form or fitness, all the committee wanted was players who can do the job. When asked if Sehwag had his blessing the skipper said: 8220;We judge everyone equally. It8217;s not about me liking or disliking a player. Even Sehwag has to perform. What my exact views on players are, none will ever know. Now it8217;s about whether someone can do the job for me,8221; he said.