Gautam Gambhir's selection gives a ray of hope to seniors

NEW DELHI: The selection of Gautam Gambhir to the Indian Test team has given a ray of hope to the senior players, who, of late, were considered to be over the bar. By naming Gambhir, the new Senior Selection Committee led by MSK Prasad seems to indicate that age is no bar for selection provided the player passes the fitness test and proves his consistency in domestic cricket.

"The Indian team management too seem to be on the same page with the selectors," sources told TOI. Another source suggested that it was India's head coach Anil Kumble who floated the idea of having performance based entry into the team, where age won't be a deciding factor.

This means that the likes of Yuvraj Singh would be in contention for a comeback to the national team, if he is able to prove fitness and form in domestic cricket. Reputation will no longer count for the new selection panel. "Oldies still stand a chance, if they able to fulfill the criteria of fitness and form in domestic cricket," a top BCCI official said.

Devang Gandhi, Gagan Khoda, Sarandeep Singh and Jatin Paranjpe besides Prasad were big time performers on the domestic circuit but couldn't get their due recognition at the highest level. Hence, these men want to ensure that the domestic performances are given due weightage. Sources said the selectors had the name of Abhinav Mukund too in their mind before zeroing in on Gambhir.

Sources said that the selectors are also banking on experience in the longer versions of the game. When KL Rahul got injured, the panel could have replaced him with another young opener but the selectors wanted someone with experience in case of another injury to a top-order batsman. And that seems to have tilted the balance in Gambhir's favour.

Sources also said the selection panel would be focusing on scouting young talent for ODI and T20 teams. The long term goal of the panel would be to pick a team for the Champions Trophy, keeping in mind the 2019 World Cup. However, with India playing a long Test series, the panel is keen on having players who are the requisite skills and experience to weather the conditions at home.