Jhunjhunwala still hopes to play for India

Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, the Bengal batsman who signed up with the Indian Cricket League (ICL), says he still nurtures hopes of playing for India despite the Indian board making it clear that players had to choose between the two.

"If I'm doing well and if everyone is watching it [the ICL], no one can ignore me," Jhunjhunwala told the Hindu on the sidelines of the league's camp in Chennai. With 473 runs at 39.41 in the Ranji Trophy last season, Jhunjhunwala was expected by many to be called up to the national team.

Jhunjhunwala and the other Bengal players, including the then captain Deep Dasgupta, who signed with the ICL, were omitted from the squad for the Moin-ud-Dowlah Gold Cup this month.

Dasgupta, who is also at the camp, said he believed the selectors would be forced to take notice if Jhunjhunwala and other young players in the ICL performed well. "The idea is for the best 14 or 15 to play for India. It's up to you to perform and put pressure on the selectors," Dasgupta said.

Balwinder Sandhu, the former Indian medium-pace bowler who is now a coach with the ICL, also appeared confident of things being sorted out. "If these players hammer international players, how can anyone keep them out? There will be public opinion," Sandhu said. "You can't ignore them only because they are playing for ICL."

The ICL plans to hold a Twenty20 tournament in October featuring six teams, each with two Indian internationals, four overseas players and eight juniors. Over 50 domestic players have already signed up with the league and more are expected to join. A second camp begins on October 8, when the format and schedule of the tournament will be announced.