Mongia, Sachin in team; Kumble ignored but 'in scheme of things'

Mumbai, July 20 (UNI) Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Mongia made a comeback while despite his exploits in the recent Test series against the West Indies, Anil Kumble missed the bus as the selectors today named a 15-member squad for the Sri Lanka tri series beginning on August 14.

A successful county stint earned Mongia the nod while Tendulkar returns after shoulder surgery.

Among others, left arm seamer RP Singh got the nod while batting duo of Robin Uthappa and Y Venugopal Rao failed to make it to the August 10 Colombo-bound flight.

However, it was Kumble's exclusion that made selection committee chairman Kiran More face a barrage of questions.

More said the committee did discuss about the ace leg spinner and he was still very much there in the team's scheme of things. More indicated a possible return for Kumble in the near future saying that the selectors would get him back at the ''right time.'' When questioned whether it would have been better to get Kumble back now, rather than for the Champions Trophy or the World Cup, More said, ''Kumble is experienced enough to overcome all this and we have spoken to him about this and will get him back at the appropriate time.'' Meanwhile, the selection committee chairman defended his decision not to conduct a fitness test for Sachin Tendulkar.

''Tendulkar who has been declared fit after undergoing a shoulder operation in London recently, had played five matches in England and also bowled a few overs in these matches.'' ''This shows that he is fit. The Indian physio John Gloster has also been practising with Sachin everyday and we will also see him at the camp. Therefore, we did not think a fitness test was required for him,'' he added.

Speaking on the inclusion of Dinesh Mongia, More said the southpaw had been performing well in the last couple of seasons and therefore, they thought there was a need to give him a chance.

''Mongia is also a left-arm spinner and this will add a variety to our attack,'' he said.

More UNI GS PM DH PM1727