Sports News :

Indian Cricket

Elegant southpaw Saurav Ganguly, at present not finding favour with the selectors, however, could once again see his hopes of returning to international cricket soar when the selectors announce the 30 probables for the ICC Champions Trophy on August 9.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in India from October seven to November five this year. A news source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said here that the Kolkata batsman is good enough to make it to the probables list and if he does not than it would be a big surprise.

Currently playing for Northamptonshire in England, India's most successful Test skipper was sacked from the job and dropped from the one-day side last October, following a prolonged batting slump, fitness woes and a row with coach Greg Chappell.

The 34-year-old was subsequently dropped from the Test side following a 1-0 series loss in Pakistan in January, with chief selector Kiran More saying his panel wanted to infuse young blood. The selectors meet on August 9 to finalise the initial list for the Champions Trophy which runs from October seven to November 5 in India.

Although his chances of being in the final list of 14 for the tournament appears remote, cricket officials here feel that Ganguly's experience could be used during a busy season. As per sprts news officials, it is expected to make the shortlist of 30 players is left arm pacer Zaheer Khan, who has been performing well in the county season and also had a very good domestic season last year.

The final 14 will however depend a lot on how India fare in the One-day tri-series in Colombo which also involves hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa beginning from August 14.