Ganguly selection debate rears head, yet again

MUMBAI, October 5: Sourav Ganguly’s tryst with selection continues to be a sticky issue in Indian cricket. For the second time since he made his second comeback in 1996, Ganguly was not played in a Test or ODI for India despite being fit.
While selectors and team management insist he was rested, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah announced that Ganguly did not fit into the combination despite having recovered from a hamstring injury.
Whatever the truth, the matter has effectively raised questions on the future of the 35-year-old former captain, especially in One-day cricket, with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and others waiting in the wings.
Ganguly last scored a hundred during the 2003 World Cup semifinal against Kenya. His last hundred against a major side came against England during the 2002 Champions Trophy. But, despite these stark statistics, Ganguly as expected has managed to divide the cricketing circuit.
"How does he fit into the team? There is Uthappa, then Gambhir has scored runs in Twenty20 and of course there is Sachin. His poor fielding is also one of the reasons youngsters deserve a chance," opined former India captain and cricket manager Ajit Wadekar.
But another former India batsman and cricket manager Abbas Ali Baig disputes the fielding theory. "It is ridiculous to talk about fielding, you should have known that before. He has to be there because of his experience and record against the Aussies. If he is fit there is no excuse not to play him," said Baig.
With Gautam Gambhir struggling in the last two ODIs, former India opener and coach Anshuman Gaekwad values Ganguly’s experience at the top.
"It may have been a combination thing, there is no indication in this. Sourav and Sachin with Rahul should be in the top three. The youngsters have done nothing and unless you have a good start there will be pressure on the middle order," reckoned Gaekwad.
While a debate still rages over the senior-junior combo, former India stumper and chief selector Kiran More blames the selection panel for the confusion by suggesting a rotation policy.
"Seniors have to be in the XI, only juniors can be rotated. Even before we won a match, the selectors were talking about rotation. We must remember we are not the One-day world champions. If they want to play seniors or juniors they should have a firm policy. I think it is high time the selectors take a call on this."