As selectors look to the future,Gautam Gambhir,Yuvraj Singh set to miss 8216;A8217; bus

Rather than looking back,the selectors want to look forward,at least for the 'A' team series.

When the national selectors meet in Vizag on Tuesday to pick a 15-member India A squad for the upcoming home series against West Indies A,it is very unlikely that 30-plus players Gautam Gambhir,Yuvraj Singh,Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan trying to make a comeback will figure in their discussion.

Rather than looking back,the selectors want to look forward,at least for the 8216;A8217; team series. Squads for the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy,to be played from September 26,too will be picked on Tuesday and Gambhir and Yuvraj might make the cut with an eye on the seven-match home ODI series against Australia to be played in October.

However,with the ODI squad comfortably settled,it could be a very long road ahead for either Yuvraj or Gambhir before they play for India again. Sehwag and Zaheer,The Indian Express has learnt,are no longer in the scheme of things in the shorter formats. But with Delhi playing in the Challengers this season,Sehwag is expected to feature in the tournament. Zaheer is unlikely to make the cut either for India A or India B. Yuvraj,on the other hand,is no longer considered for Test cricket,though he has an outside chance to return to the ODI fold provided he proves his fitness and form.

According to a source,only Gambhir still figures in the list of probables for all formats but he will have to convince the selectors that he8217;s returned to his peak form.

Asked about Gambhir and Yuvraj,a source close to the selection committee said: The basic idea for the A series is to look ahead and not to look back. But they8217;re likely to play the Challengers. The India ODI squad picks itself. But who knows,a few good knocks might open the door for them.

About Sehwag and Zaheer,he said: 8220;It would be very surprising if they are brought back to the ODI fold. As far Test cricket is concerned,they must earn their places.8221;

According to a selector,the performances during India A8217;s tour of South Africa and the home series versus New Zealand A has been noted. Some of the players who toured South Africa are regulars in the senior team. They have a long season ahead and this is a reason why we might make a few alterations for the series against West Indies A,8221; the selector said.

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It is learnt that Manprit Juneja, Abhishek Nayar,Vijay Zol and Unmukt Chand are on the selectors8217; radar. Juneja,Nayar and Zol scored centuries in the unofficial Tests against New Zealand,while Delhi youngster Chand is rated highly though he has had an inconsistent run. Among the bowlers,Madhya Pradesh off-spinner Jalaj Saxena has impressed.

Gambhir to re-join Essex

Gautam Gambhir will re-join Essex on Tuesday to play the remainder of his maiden English county season after he returned home on September 1. Essex can announce that Gautam Gambhir will be returning to the club following a sudden bereavement in his family. Gautam returned home to India on September 1 but will now rejoin the Essex squad ahead of the trip to Kent on Wednesday, the County said in a statement.