World Cuppers untouched

VADODARA, AUG 6: The element of shock was limited after medical certificates ensured the exit of potential casualties in the first post-W...

VADODARA, AUG 6: The element of shock was limited after medical certificates ensured the exit of potential casualties in the first post-World Cup selection meet. The tried and tested Vinod Kambli, and MSK Prasad, the 23-year-old from Andhra with two One-Day International appearances to his credit, filled in the vacancy created by Mohammed Azharuddin and Nayan Mongia.

After a two-hour parley of the selection committee under the chairmanship of Ajit Wadekar, which also included the newly crowned skipper Sachin Tendulkar and manager Anshuman Gaekwad, the fifteen-member team for the tours of Sri Lanka and Singapore was announced.

With skipper Tendulkar opting to keep away from the press brief, chairman Wadekar faced a barrage of media queries, especially on Kambli8217;s inclusion and the sidelining of prolific domestic batsmen like Karnataka8217;s Vijay Bharadwaj and Jacob Martin of Vadodara. 8220;With seasoned players like Azhar and Mongia unfit, Kambli8217;s experience would be ideal for the team. Moreover, Martin andBharadwaj are young and their time will come,8221; he said. Leading Ranji Trophy scorers once again missed the bus which could have taken them to destination experience.

The logic was turned on its head for MSK Prasad8217;s inclusion. 8220;We discussed Saba Karim8217;s name, but giving him the nod would mean going back. Prasad is young, had an impressive outing with the India A team on the tour to Pakistan,8221; Wadekar said.

Only the unfit proved to be the misfits. Wadekar justified the untouched World Cup team by saying, 8220;we didn8217;t want to disturb the nucleus of the team.8221;

Pace bowler Ajit Agarkar8217;s disastrous England trip was overlooked as, according to the selection committee chairman, 8220;it is normal for every player to go through a bad patch.8221;

Queries about left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi8217;s comeback were put to rest. 8220;The spate of left-handers in Australia and Sri Lanka, the two teams India face in the tri-series, meant no place for Joshi8217;s comeback. Chopra stays.8221;

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The matter that took maximum deliberation,according to Wadekar, was the almost non-existent lower-middle order. 8220;Our tail has not been wagging for quite some time. I talked with the skipper and the manager to look into the matter,8221; he said.

Wadekar also ruled out that it was the end of the road for Azhar, but added that his selection will depend on the situation in future and 8220;he will be considered as just another player.8221;

Keeping in mind Tendulkar8217;s call for more say in the selection process, Wadekar said with a smile, 8220;He seemed happy.8221;

Coach Anshuman Gaekwad, whose contract expired after the World Cup, has been retained, so also team doctor Ravindra Chaddha. The manager for the tours will be announced later. The team will undergo a camp from August 16 to 18 and leave for Sri Lanka on August 19.

THE TEAM

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Sachin Tendulkar captain, Ajay Jadeja vice-captain, Saurav Ganguly, Sadgopan Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Vinod Kambli, Amay Khurasia, MSK Prasad wicket-keeper, Robin Singh, Anil Kumble, Nikhil Chopra, Venkatesh Prasad,Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar, Debashish Mohanty.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More