Rest of India side for Irani Trophy against Delhi on Sept 8

Mumbai, Sept 4 (UNI) The national selectors, on September 8, will pick the Rest of India side to take on Ranji champions Delhi in the season opener Irani Trophy match to be played at Vadodara from September 24 to 28.

The selectors are expected to pick a virtual Test side barring those who belong to Delhi for the Irani Trophy match, sources said here.

The season-opening domestic fixture has assumed importance following a poor showing of some senior batsmen on the just-concluded tour of Sri Lanka, which saw India lose the Test series 1-2.

Thus, the focus is expected to be on Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who all struggled for runs in the three Tests. They are hoping to regain form and be picked for the all-important four-Test series against Australia, beginning on October 9.

Anil Kumble will, in all probability, lead Rest of India, but the focus will be on Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who opted out of the Test series in Sri Lanka, citing fatigue.

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