The Hindu : Zaheer, Bangar back in team

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 17, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Zaheer, Bangar back in team

NEW DELHI, FEB. 16. A crestfallen Murali Kartik presented a sad sight as the National selectors once again ignored his claims for a place in the Test team.

The Indian team for the first Test against Zimbabwe to be held at Nagpur was named here on Saturday with Sanjay Bangar and Zaheer Khan returning to the side in place of Connor Williams and Iqbal Siddiqui who figured in the team which played against England in the last Test at Bangalore.

``His name was discussed,'' said selection committee chairman, Mr. Chandu Borde, on Kartik missing the bus again, even though the Railways all-rounder was in the scheme of things planned by skipper Sourav Ganguly. Among others discussed were Ashish Nehra, Gautam Gambhir and Ajay Ratra.

Zaheer's inclusion was on expected lines. ``He bowled beautifully at Baroda. He's shed weight and is bowling quicker,'' said Mr. Borde.

Gambhir was described by Mr. Borde as ``very promising with a good future'' but he also wanted to know ``where's the place for Gambhir in the team.'' On Dasgupta keeping his place, Mr. Borde said, ``he lends balance to the team.'' Mr. Borde also refused to answer any questions pertaining to Nayan Mongia not being considered at all.

The team

Sourav Ganguly (Capt.), Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, S.S. Das, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, J. Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Tinu Yohannan, Deep Dasgupta, Sanjay Bangar and Sarandeep Singh.

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