Vinod Kambli gets a recall

CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 21: In an effort to develop a team for the 2003 World Cup, the five National selectors on Thursday capped batsman Yuvar...

CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 21: In an effort to develop a team for the 2003 World Cup, the five National selectors on Thursday capped batsman Yuvaraj Singh of Punjab, Vijay Dhaiya of Delhi and medium pacer Zahir Khan of Baroda and recalled Vinod Kambli for the ICC Knock-out cricket tournament scheduled from October 3 to 16 at Nairobi in Kenya.

After a more than two hour meeting here at the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, Chandu Borde, Chariman, National Selection Committee, told pressmen that the selectors were impressed with these three youngsters and Dhaiya is a specialist wicket keeper who could improvise better than the other two probables 8212; Reuban Paul of Tamil Nadu and Ajay Ratra of Haryana. In all for the first time for over two decades, the selectors have picked seven left handed batsmen for the tour which includes Hemang Badani, S Sriram, Robin Singh, Vinod Kambli, Yuvaraj Singh, Saurav Ganguly and Sunil Joshi.

Captain, Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Hemang K Badani, Robin Singh and S Sriram were said to be automatic choices for the tour, while the selectors deliberated on others selections.

Others to get berths for the tour were: Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar and Sunil Joshi.

Kambli8217;s recall was on the cards due to his good performance in the domestic season last year with four centuries to his credit and the selectors were impressed with his batting in the two selection matches held during the camp which commenced on September 14. Kambli had last played for India in twin tour last year August-September of Sri Lanka and Singapore.

The meeting was attended by Coach Anshuman Gaekwad and captain Saurav Ganguly along with the other selectors, TA Sekhar South, Madanlal North, Anil Deshpande Central and Ashok Malhotra East.

The selectors finish their term of one year with Thursday8217;s meeting.

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JY Lele, secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI, informed that Chetan Chauhan, who was appointed administrative manager for the Kenya tour has declined the offer. The board will announce replacement before the team leave for Nairobi on September 27.

On the composition of the team loaded with left handers, Borde said it is fairly encouraging and they will do well. 8220;I am certainly confident on the selected players that they will come out in flying colours. In the two selection matches, the probables impressed us with their job either batting, bowling or fielding. It is a good team8221;, he said.

Asked to say whether Rahul Dravid had declined to keep wickets which forced the selectors to go for a keeper for the tour, Borde said 8220;It is a specialised area and there was no proposal nor Dravid declined. We had three keepers in the camp and Dhaiya impressed us with the batting and improvised keeping.8221;

As far as the new ball bowlers, Borde said 8220;Venkatesh Prasad is a good bowler and experienced. He has variations in his bowling and his contribution has been useful. Zahir Khan, who is making his debut, is the quickest in the country and maintained line and length in the two selection matches.8221;

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Replying to a question that Ganguly reached Chennai only on Thursday and how useful was he in selection, Borde said 8220;he knows the players well and more over Anshuman Gaekwad, coach, had been with the boys in the camp8221;.

Asked to comment why Reuban Paul, who has been in discussion stage for over a year, Borde said 8220;selectors felt Dhaiya has impressed better than Paul and Ratra8221;.

The Team: Saurav Ganguly Captain, Rahul Dravid Vice-Captain, Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Hemang Badani, Youraj Singh, Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi, S Sriram, Robin Singh. Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Vijay Dahiya.

Coach: Anshuman Gaekwad.

Indian team for ICC Cup
Saurav Ganguly Captain, Rahul Dravid Vice-Captain, Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Hemang Badani, Youraj Singh, Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi, S Sriram, Robin Singh. Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Vijay Dahiya.
Coach: Anshuman Gaekwad.