Tweakers ignored for India ‘A’ squad

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The 14-man squad which was picked by the Sandeep Patil-led selection committee does not comprise of a single specialist spinner — a move that might have been deliberately made to rob the visitors of a dress rehearsal against quality tweakers.

The bowling department is chock-full with speedsters Irfan Pathan, Vinay Kumar, Ashoke Dinda and Parvinder Awana.

Meanwhile, comeback man Yuvraj Singh has been included in the batting heavy roster. Yuvraj, apart from Raina, would be aiming for a productive outing to grab the existing middle order Test slot left behind by the inimitable VVS Laxman.

Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Ashok Menaria, Robin Bisht and Ambati Rayudu complete the batting line-up while Wriddhiman Saha will carry out the ’keeping duties.

Three of the selected members – Dinda, Bist and Menaria – are currently playing in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai.

Aware that a notable showing against the Englishmen would catapult them into the Test reckoning, the trio are raring to go. “This is a great opportunity to knock on the doors of national selection. I’ll definitely give a good account of myself if I get a chance to play,” said Bist.

The Rajasthan batsman, who scored 117 and 67 against the Rest, added that those innings could have well played a part in his promotion.

Menaria, who figures that making it to the playing XI would be difficult, saw his inclusion in the team as a matter of great pride and joy. “It doesn't matter if I get to play or not, I am anyways delighted to know that I would be share the dressing room with such top-class players. It would be a great learning experience,” said Menaria. For his part, Dinda added: “Performances in crunch games such as these will hold me in good stead.”