Will Sourav Ganguly make the Asia Cup squad?

Calcutta: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) isn’t planning to issue a “directive,” ahead of Friday’s selection committee meeting in Mumbai, but an influential official said the selectors “should” pick a young Team India for the tri-series in Bangladesh.

The tri-series (with Pakistan being the third team) will be held from June 8-14.

“My view is that the selectors should choose a young team… The seniors need to be rested and the tri-series will give some exposure to the youngsters,” the official told The Telegraph on Saturday.

Given the format of the tri-series, whoever the youngsters, they can only hope to play a maximum of three matches.

Incidentally, in the lead-up to the last tour of Bangladesh by Team India (exactly a year ago), the BCCI had actually directed Dilip Vengsarkar and Co. to select a young team.

And, so, out of the ODIs were Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Harbhajan Singh too. Sachin and Sourav were back for the Test series, though.

While Sachin continues to be a part of the ODI line-up, Sourav was dropped for the tri-series in Australia --- Team India’s last engagement in limited overs cricket.

It’s to be seen whether Sachin goes to Bangladesh, but he’s bound to be there for the June 24-July 6 Asia Cup in Pakistan. There’s a chance that Sourav could make a comeback in that tournament.

The selectors will be picking both squads on Friday.

Already, there’s talk that absolute rookie Manpreet Singh Gony (a mediumpacer) will get a look-in and that allrounder Yusuf Pathan (Irfan’s brother and a member of the World Twenty20-winning squad) stands a “very good” chance of making the cut for Bangladesh.

Like some others, both have been impact-players in the ongoing Indian Premier League.