Selectors draw flak over ODI Team Selection

Just a day after Indian cricket team brought glory to the country by winning the Perth test, Indian selectors did a 'heinous' job of upsetting the team by dropping Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Saurabh Ganguly from the ODI squad from the upcoming tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka, which will begin on February 1, 2008. Interestingly, Laxman and Dravid played a crucial role in India's historic win at Perth.

Cricket fans across the globe and former cricketers slammed the selectors for selecting the ODI team just ahead of Adelaide test, where India hope to square the series. With the "Big Three" Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman feeling low over the sudden sacking, Indian team's morale is bound to reach a bottom low ahead of a key test match.

According to sources, Sourav Ganguly was shocked over his omission from the ODI squad, as he has been performing consistently ever since he was recalled to the squad. Dravid also expressed huge disappointment, as he hoped to get another chance after his resilient performance at Perth. The selectors did not even inform Ganguly and Dravid about their exclusion from the team. Ironically, Sourav Ganguly has been India's most successful ODI batsman over the last 12 months.

The selectors have decided to opt for the youth over the experienced players. But analysts question the wisdom of the selectors, as it is always risky to expose the youth before two powerful ODI team - Australia and Sri Lanka that too on the difficult Australian soil. A mixed blend of youth and experiences could have bolster the Indian team. Now Sachin Tendulkar remains the only experienced player in the team.