Kapil likely to be excluded from selection meeting

By Our Special Correspondent

MELBOURNE, FEB. 2. Kapil Dev, who has been appointed coach of the Indian team for two years is not likely to be invited to attend the selection committee meeting in Mumbai. The five national selectors will meet in Mumbai during the Board Presidents' XI vs South Africa match to pick the Indian team for the first Test to be played from February 24 to 28. The national coach and captain have always been part of the selection process, but it was understood they did not have a vote, until the teams for the series against New Zealand and Australia were picked.

The BCCI members are looking at the Rules and Regulations of the Constitution, in particular the all India selection committee. Rule 32 of the BCCI's Constitution says that only the five selectors, each representing his zone and the captain (as an ex- officio member) shall attend the meeting. The coach/cricket manager became a part of selection committee since the time the BCCI started nominating a coach at its Annual General body Meeting. The first cricket manager was Bishen Singh Bedi.

It is learnt that a majority of the Board members are annoyed with the way Kapil Dev has conducted himself as coach. The Indian team's poor performances here has only driven the Board to keep Kapil Dev away from the selection committee meetings. He has only been a source for embarrassment to the selectors, especially the chairman Mr. Chandu Borde who has taken flak from all and sundry.

The selectors had picked Mohammad Azharuddin for the tri-series on December 30, but they had to drop the former captain because the team management told them that Azharuddin's selection will not be a happy news for the team here. But at the same time they lobbied for Ajay Jadeja's inclusion. The Board went to the extent of sending two more players for the tri- series. The team management named Jadeja as the first player, but came back with a firm ``No'' to Azharuddin. The matter was closed then and there on January 1.

A peculiar situation could arise if Tendulkar (appointed captain for the 1999-2000 season) withdraws as captain should the selectors pick Azharuddin for the two Tests against South Africa. The selectors have not been able to sort out a tricky issue since September 1999. No one wants enemies in the dressing room. The board President Mr. A.C. Muthiah must intervene, talk to Tendulkar before the selectors meet in Mumbai.

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