Ganguly ignored, Agarkar dropped, Kumble-Laxman back in Test team

Mumbai, May 24 (UNI) Sourav Ganguly remains the pariah of Indian cricket as the selectors today slammed the door on the former captain while naming a 16-member Test squad for the Test series against the West Indies with old warhorses Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman making it to the side.

The trio of Mumbai offie Ramesh Powar, Uttar Pradesh southpaw Suresh Raina and Punjab pacer VRV Singh also earned a Test call while Ajit Agarkar, despite being pick of the Indian bowlers in the ongoing ODI series, failed to impress the selectors.

Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer also got the nod, while Dinesh Karthick was named the second wicketkeeper for the four-match series starting June 2, BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah and chief selector Kiran More announced here today.

With Sachin Tendulkar opting out of the series with a shoulder that has not healed yet since an operation, speculation was rife about Ganguly's chances in the Test series but the selectors put an end to all surmises.

The squad comprises seven batsmen, four fast bowlers, three spinners and two wicket-keepers.

Four members from the current ODI team -- Y Venugopal Rao, Agarkar, Robin Utthapa and R P Singh -- will be retutning home.

Selection Committee Chairman Kiran More and BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah told mediapersons here that the decision to include V R V Singh was taken considering his speed, while Agarkar was dropped as the selectors felt he was more of ODI player and ''Test cricket is a different ball game.'' More said they also decided against sending a third opener as Mahendra Singh Dhoni could be used for that task.

He said the team was selected after having consultation with captain Rahul Dravid and coach Greg Chappell.

On whether the name of Sourav Ganguly was discussed, More said the names of many players were discussed.

More also said while R P Singh has yet to improve, leg-spinner Piyush Chawala has a bright future.

Yuvraj Singh, who did not play the third ODI due to injury, will be all right for the Tests, he added.

Squad: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice captain), Yuvraj Singh, Wasim Jaffer, V V S Laxman, Mohd Kaif, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, VRV Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Dinesh Karthick.

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