Parthiv, Zaheer Axed for ICC Trophy

Indian selectors have axed wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel and the perennially injured Zaheer Khan for the Videocon Cup and ICC Champions Trophy in August and September.

Ajit Agarkar, currently finding from with English county Middlesex, has been offered a lifeline for the tournaments following his surprise axing from the Asia Cup squad. He takes the place of Zaheer who continues to struggle with the hamstring problems that have bugged him for the majority of 2004.

Perhaps the most significant selection is that of the young Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik ahead of the incumbent Parthiv Patel. Long have the selectors searched for a competent gloveman and batsman at the top level - highlighted by Rahul Dravid's continued flirtation behind the stumps - Karthik offers a more viable option with the bat in ODIs than Patel, highlighted by his continued run of good scores for his domestic side and India 'A'.

Patel has struggled to maintain a place in the ODI squad for much of his career and does not possess the ability as a late-order hitter that is crucial to the Indian cause, highlighted by Mohammad Kaif's struggles late in the innings.

Rohan Gavaskar has been added to the squad for the Videocon Cup but will play no part in the ICC tournament in England.

The Full squad is:

Sourav Ganguly (c)
Virender Sehwag
Sachin Tendulkar
VVS Laxman
Rahul Dravid
Yuvraj Singh
Mohammad Kaif
Dinesh Karthik
Ajit Agarkar
Irfan Pathan
Lakshmipathy Balaji
Anil Kumble
Harbhajan Singh
Ashish Nehra.

Note: Rohan Gavaskar will be part of the squad for the Videocon Cup in Holland.

Posted by Andre