ODI squad selection: All eyes on young brigade

The two former India skippers were not picked for the last ODI series played by India, the triangular series in Australia that India won for the first time by a comprehensive 2-0 margin over the reigning world champions in this format of the game.

A lot would depend on what ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wishes as also the inputs from coach Gary Kirsten. The duo is scheduled to attend the meeting at the Cricket Board’s headquarters in Mumbai.

The Bangalore and Kolkata teams led by Dravid and Ganguly failed to sparkle in the IPL and have been knocked out of the competition before the semi-final stage.

The two senior batsmen put up a mixed show with the bat, but what may tilt the scales against their inclusion could be the fact that both are not the fleetest of fielders as compared to younger rivals.

Ganguly, who had formed one of the world’s best-ever opening combinations in the 50-over format of the game with Sachin Tendulkar, could get the nod if the latter opts out of the Bangladesh event as is being speculated in the media, though nothing specific has come from the Cricket Board on this matter.

The other two opening slots perforce seem to have been nailed by Gautam Gambhir and his Delhi Ranji and IPL skipper Virender Sehwag, with their strong showing in the Twenty20 league.

Swapnil Asnodkar, the Goa Ranji opener, could also be discussed following his flamboyant approach in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals.

Dravid faces competition from younger and fitter rivals like Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Venugopal Rao and S Badrinath but, in the likely absence of in-form and injured batsman Rohit Sharma, could just squeeze his way in because of his vast experience.

The selectors are expected to look long and hard over the multi-faceted cricketers like Yousuf Pathan, who can also fill in the off spinner’s slot in the absence of the banned Harbhajan Singh, and Abhishek Nair, a handy lower order batsman and useful medium pacer.