You think things are tough? They’re going to get tougher. That, essentially, is the message from Greg Chappell to the Indian team. ‘‘Any discussion on selection from this point has to have in mind the 2007 World Cup’’, Chappell said in an exclusive interview to PTI after India’s 2-0 rout of Zimbabwe. There’s no doubt, he said, that there was enough talent in India but the time had come to identify those cricketers who can last up to the World Cup. ‘‘It will take time to develop a team and I suppose a decision has to be taken on which of the senior players are most likely to last and be potent enough that long.’’ And that, he said, required a combined effort. ‘‘We need to think very carefully about the balance of the side both in one-day and Test cricket.” Chappell also made it clear to those within the team who were groaning under his workload that it would not get any easier from now on. ‘‘There are some things which are non-negotiable. Fielding and fitness are two of them. Unfortunately, players would not find it any easier. ‘‘Guys who are buying into it are going ahead and those who are not buying into it will find themselves by the wayside’’, the coach said in a chillingly plain tone. The pressure, he said, had so far only been in a controlled manner. ‘‘It is aimed at finding out those who have the character and the capacity to deal with what is required to be a successful team. ‘‘Some of the guys have struggled. Some of them have resisted the change. But if you want to stand up to the demands of the modern game you have to be able to back up day after day. Over the last couple of months, everything we have done is to find out the players who have a way to go forward.’’ Tired, rivals announce truce but only for the moment 9.30 am: News pours in of double-strike. Kalighat Club and Karnataka State Cricket Association file move the Calcutta High Court questioning the appointment of the two new observers. 12.00 noon: Pawar and Dalmiya walk out and disclose the case of the Board’s president’s plans of having a word with the observers. Both announce that a 15-minute break has been arranged for that. 12.30 pm: Drama again, as the court calls on the ‘meeting’ which hadn’t yet convened. The court rules that the elections are stayed, while the rest of the proceedings can get under way. 1.05 pm: For the first time, the 76th BCCI AGM is convened under the watchful eyes of the observers. Lunch is declared though 10 minutes on. Resumes at 2pm but gets stuck on insignificant issues. 3.05 pm: Bombshell for Pawar, surprise for Dalmiya. Court upholds the suits filed by Kalighat Club and KSCA, dismisses appointment of the two new observers and rules that Justice SC Sen would be the lone observer. 4.15 pm: Dungarpur, Pawar, Bindra and Mahendra walk out of the boardroom and announce the truce. The smoke clears, as it becomes clear that the meeting stands adjourned up to November 30, within which elections are scheduled to be held.
