The recall of Rahul Dravid was the biggest surprise in the 16-member Indian squad named for the Twenty20 and one-day series against England. Dravid last played a ODI in September 2009 in the Champions Trophy. With India’s most influential middle order name, Yuvraj Singh, ruled out due to injury, the selectors went for the experience of Dravid.
Even though chairman Kris Srikkanth did not comment directly on Dravid’s selection, he said: “We have selected the team on the basis of what the team would encounter in England ... after a lot of deliberation. Yuvraj Singh’s injury is unfortunate as he is one of our main players. We have no control over injuries. But I am sure the team selected will do a good job.”
The squad’s composition received a small tweak from the one that toured the West Indies with only two specialist spinners finding a place. R. Ashwin and Amit Mishra made the cut while Pragyan Ojha, who has been called as cover for the last two Test matches, was unlucky to miss out.
Zaheer Khan will spearhead the five-man pace attack that will also comprise Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and R. Vinay Kumar, who edged out S. Sreesanth primarily due to the variation he brings to the attack.
Harbhajan Singh was not considered owing to a Grade I abdominal muscle strain that has ruled him out for the next two Tests as well. He had suffered the strain in India’s 319-run loss in the second Test against England at Nottingham. He has been in poor form, taking just two wickets in as many Tests on the tour.
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England ODIs, T20 Rahul’s last
Northampton, Aug. 6: Hours after he was chosen for the ODI and T20 series in England, Rahul Dravid on Saturday announced his retirement from both the versions of the game. However, he will play in the five ODIs against England and the one-off T20. —PTI