Sourav: Zaheer’s fit, was dropped on form

Today, Ganguly — who has always backed Zaheer — sought to set the record straight. ‘‘Zaheer has not been bowling well for some time now. We are looking at the coming home series against Australia and South Africa and hope he gets back to his rhythm before that. We are looking at his future and that is the reason why he was not picked.’’

While the captain also said that Zaheer was picked on the side for the Cup because he was fit, it was contrary to a few reports carried in this paper through the period when Zaheer’s fitness’ status became a national debate.

But there’s a side issue here as well, that Ganguly seems to have brought to light. That is the Indian selectors’ perennial refusal to declare a senior player ‘‘dropped’’. Explaining the psychology behind the attitude would take up reams of newsprint; suffice it to say that it’s primarily the sponsors’ contracts that play an important role. Essentially, there’s far too much at stake and that’s why this unwritten law has found it’s way into the BCCI do’s and don’ts.

Zaheer has been dropped. As has been Parthiv Patel. At first glance, it’s for their own good, as well as that of the team’s. They are competent players who are going through a lean patch. Send them back to the drawing board. It’s not the end of the road for them by any means.