Players not keen on psychological boosting’

Defending Orissa medium pacer Debasis Mohanty’s last-minute inclusion, Dungarpur said, “(Mohanty) is a good mover of the ball and would prove to be very useful in English conditions.”

“The ball is expected to move in the early part of the session because the moisture content in the wicket is high in England andMohanty would be ideal in such conditions. The selectors thought at one time that Laxmi Ratan Shukla would blossom and get a place in the list of 19 but the youngster, though a talented cricketer, has been recently blooded. The selectors debated before coming to a conclusion and their decision is absolutely justified,” said Dungarpur.

When questioned why an out-of-form Azharuddin was given the responsibility of leading the Indian side to the World Cup, the Board chief said, “He was scoring a lot of runs when we decided to repose our faith in him.”

The Board president also praised Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and, explaining his importance to the side, said: “What Lara is for West Indies, Tendulkar is for India. He is an integral part of the Indian team’s think tank and Sachin’s void can’t be filled by any other player. Sachin was keen to go to Sharjah but we don’t want to take any chances before the World Cup”.

About the not-so-good fielding of the Indian team, he said, “We are not anathletic nation. It needs strength, stamina and a very high level of fitness, which cannot be developed in eight months. The fitness level of the players should be raised and there is a need to inculcate a fitness regimen for under-16 players”.

Regarding the three-man selection panel, Dungarpur said, “that needs constitutional amendment. We are hoping to do it before the Board’s annual general meeting in September but only if it gets a two-third majority.”