It is a season of chaos and confusion within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). So much so that even something as rudimentary as chalking out dates for selection committee meetings can kick up a storm. There seems to be a difference of opinion between the national selection committee and its convenor —BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah —on the dates to select the team for the third Test and the squad for the upcoming Australian tour. The scheduled date to pick the team for Australia was December 8, while board secretary Niranjan Shah had announced that the chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar, to be present during the Kolkata Test, would consult the other selectors on phone and name the squad for the third Test between India and Pakistan during the match. However, Shah now says that the schedule has been “slightly changed” and the team will now be named on December 5. The change comes in the backdrop of Shah having to attend an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting around December 8. This has once again irked the selectors who feel that even if the secretary is not around the meeting can be held. “Why can’t the joint secretary (MP Pandove) convene the meeting?” asked one selector. As per the new dates, the team for the tour of Australia will be named on December 5. However, Shah has given the selectors the choice to name the team for the third Test any time during the Kolkata game. “I’ve been given a feeler,” a selector said in response to whether he’s been informed by the board about the change in the dates while another one is still in the dark. The selectors have been severely gagged by the board, following which they’ve been unable to voice their concern openly in this regard. That aside, it is also to be seen if the selectors find enough time to complete their Ranji assignments (announced by the BCCI as compulsory) before assembling in Kolkata for the Test match. It is equally important that they take a look at the team before finalising the team for Australia and check out on fitness reports of Sreesanth and RP Singh. RP Singh reached Kolkata this evening and Sreesanth will reach tomorrow for their fitness tests. The selectors, nevertheless, are not expected to announce any changes for the third Test between India and Pakistan in Bangalore.
