Srinath rested for next test

Releasing the names of the players, Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) spokesman Jaywant Lele in presence of national selection committee chairman Ajit Wadekar, said here today that Srinath was temporarily advised rest because of problems with both of his shins.

Another significant decision taken by the national selectors, who met after an eventful fourth day’s play here, was to make Anil Kumble the vice-captain.

The selectors also discussed the names of Karnataka medium-pacer Dodda Ganesh and Orissa swing bowler Debashish Mohanty as replacements for Srinath.

Srinath, he said, would now get a rest of almost three weeks as the final of the Asian Test Championship is slatedto be held at Dhaka from March 12.

“Srinath needed a rest badly. If we don’t rest him now, he may not be able to play in the World Cup”, Lele explained.

Asked whether any other names were considered for the vice-captaincy, Wadekar said Sourav Ganguly’s name came up for discussion. ”He is still quite young and may get his chance later”, he said.

On whether the additional responsibility of vice-captaincy would put additional pressure on Kumble, Lele said, “we don’t think so.”

Lele said the 19 shortlisted Indian players for the forthcoming World Cup would be announced on February 28 in Mumbai.

The team: Mohammed Azharuddin (captain), Anil Kumble (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sadagopan Ramesh, Venkata Sai Laxman, Nayan Mongia, Venkatesh Prasad, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Joshi, Ashish Nehra and Hrishikesh Kanitkar.