MOHALI/MUMBAI: India discard Zaheer Khan is expected to ride his fine show for Worcestershire and the subsequent performance in the Challenger Trophy to get his place back in the Indian one-day squad for the forthcoming tour to South Africa.
The Baroda left-arm medium pacer has also shifted to Mumbai this year and that may well go in his favour given the pulls and pressures of regional interests in team selection.
Punjab’s VRV Singh is also expected to be considered as a replacement for the injured Ajit Agarkar. VRV’s speed could well be the pivot on which he finds favour with the selectors given the nature of wickets in South Africa.
India are considering a 16-member squad for the five ODIs and one Twenty20 match they play against the Proteas.
The selectors are likely to go with a reserve opener. In contention are Delhi’s Gautam Gambhir, Mumbai’s Wasim Jaffer and Bangalore’s Robin Uthappa. Both Gambhir and Uthappa did well in the Challenger Series but it would not be a surprise if neither of them is picked. It is learnt that Jaffer stands a strong chance to be on the early flight to South
Africa.
The thinking among the selectors seems to be that the Mumbai opener, who is certain to be part of the Test squad, should be sent early for acclimatisation. Jaffer, by the way, played in one match of the Challenger series.
The Mumbai batsman is yet to play in the ODIs. Gambhir too could be in the flight to South Africa if the selectors decide to go with a 16-member squad.
The return of Zaheer means exit for fellow left-arm pacer RP Singh. The UP bowler was, surprisingly, preferred ahead of Kerala speedster S Sreesanth for the Champions Trophy. Sreesanth, who came into the squad as a replacement for Ajit Agarkar, is expected to retain his place.
Dilip Vengsarkar & Co, who will be on their first international assignment on Monday, may discuss the names of S Badrinath, Venugopal Rao and Rohit Sharma which means Suresh Raina’s place will come under scrutiny.
Anil Kumble may also stage a comeback, having recovered from his shoulder injury.
