Indian team to be picked on March 1

Jagmohan Dalmiya gets busy on the eve of India's tour of Pakistan © AFP

The Indian team for the tour of Pakistan will be selected on March 1 at Kolkata. The selection meeting has been advanced by two days to ensure that the players can participate in a three-day preparatory camp at Kolkata before they leave for Pakistan.

It seems unlikely, however, that India will be able to field anything like a full-strength bowling attack in the one-day matches, with both Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble likely to miss out. According to a report in Kolkata's Telegraph, Dr Anant Joshi, who the board consults on such matters, has suggested that Agarkar have a fresh scan on his left fibula.

And with Kumble just having started to bowl in the nets, the chances of him playing in the one-dayers are slim. It leaves the selectors facing a terrible dilemma, as no other slow bowler has really suggested himself to be an adequate replacement for Kumble, or Harbhajan Singh.

The camp, to be held from March 7 to 9, will focus on fitness and tests will be administered to all players before and after the camp. "A number of players had picked up injuries during the 80-day long Australian tour. But our physiotherapist (Andrew Leipus) and doctor (Joshi) have stated in their reports that most of them would be fit for the tour to Pakistan," said Jagmohan Dalmiya at the press conference in Delhi soon after a working committee meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Dalmiya added that all players other than Harbhajan had submitted fitness certificates. "Although, the players have given certificates they will have to undergo fitness tests in Kolkata," said Dalmiya. He informed the media that the team would leave on March 10 by a specially chartered Indian Airlines flight. Shortly before they leave the team would be briefed by the home and foreign ministries.