Selectors to decide number of probables

The Indian board has left it to the selectors to decide on the number of probables for the ICC Champions Trophy.

"It's up to the selection committee to choose the number of probables. It should not exceed 30 as per the ICC's directive," said Niranjan Shah, the board secretary. "But it's up to the selectors to decide on the upper limit." He said that Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell, the coach, seemed inclined towards selecting around 20 or 22 players for the Champions Trophy in October.

There has been speculation that Sourav Ganguly, the former captain who has returned home after a stint at Northamptonshire, would find a place in a 30-player list. It remains to be seen whether Ganguly, ignored by the selectors since the three-Test series in Pakistan in January, would still find favour if the list consists of only 20 or 22 players.

The final 14-member squad has to be chosen before September 7 and submitted to the ICC.