'Domestic performers will be rewarded'

Dilip Vengsarkar, chairman of the national selection committee, said he and his mates will be following a simple formula, when it comes to picking the team to take on the West Indies in the one day series starting January 21.

"The players who have done well in Ranji Trophy this season stand a chance," Vengsarkar said.

"Form and fitness will be very important in terms of selection of a player. We are keen to pick a winning combination, and are looking to win every match before the World Cup."

The former Test star was speaking on the occasion of the launch of the first All India Baskin Robins Junior Cricket 7s tournament for the Under-17 age group.

Vengsarkar and his four fellow selectors will meet tomorrow (Friday, January 12) to pick the team for the first two ODIs against the West Indies, in Nagpur January 21 and Cuttack January 24. A 30-man probables list for the 2007 World Cup will also be named tomorrow.

"There are eight ODIs to be played against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, so there are enough opportunities for players who have done well in first class cricket," Vengsarkar said.

The former India batsman hoped Irfan Pathan, who was sent back from South Africa mid-way through the recent Test series, would regain his bowling touch soon.

"Irfan's bowling is very important for us," Vengsarkar said. "He has done well in the past. He has lost his form, but I am sure that he will regain his form by playing domestic cricket. I am sure he will make a comeback soon."

He said it was wrong to suggest that Pathan was sent back by the management against his wishes.

"We had a chat with Irfan, and it was decided that he should go back to domestic cricket so that he could bowl more overs in first class cricket. It was discussed, and he agreed for it. It was wrongly portrayed here that we sent him back," Vengsarkar said.

Vengsarkar came down hard on pacer Munaf Patel, who dished out a lackluster showing in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, saying that he was not fit for the match and should not have taken part.

"You could see he was not hundred per cent match fit. Match fitness is different from physical fitness. Physio John Gloster's report stated that he was physically fit, but that does not mean he is match fit," he said.

Tests by BCCI physician Dr Anant Joshi in Mumbai Monday confirmed that Munaf Patel has not recovered from the injury sustained to his left foot, and has been adviced rest for two weeks.

"If a player says he is fit, then you believe him, and that is what we did," Vengsarkar said. "Munaf is a very important bowler, so we had to play him."

Vengsarkar said Yuvraj Singh, recuperating from a knee injury, needs to prove his fitness in match situations before he can be considered for selection.

"Yuvraj is a very important player. But he needs to play some matches and prove his fitness in match conditions to convince the selectors," Vengsarkar said.

Yuvraj had a light practice session on Thursday under the watchful eyes of Dr Joshi and Vengsarkar himself, at the Cricket Club of India. BCCI's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said the left handed batsman will play in a practice game involving the MCA Under-19 probables, at the Bandra Kurla complex grounds.