World Cup probables: Gavaskar backs BCCI decision

New Delhi: Sunil Gavasakar has backed the national selectors’ decision to omit senior players such as Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singhm Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan. Gavaskar said he had expected the selectors to drop the veterans as they had not made a mark in domestic cricket.

“It was not a surprise because they did not figure in the playing XI for over a year and a half. If they had been scoring runs or taking wickets (in domestic matches), they would have certainly been in contention. Cricket (however) has become quicker, faster and teams cannot afford to take passengers,” the former India captain said.

Gavsakar said form is always paramount. “Experience is invaluable, particularly in must-win games. But the fact is that they have not been in form, they haven’t brushed for a place in the 30 probables is a telling indicator.”

The World Cup snub, Gavaskar feels, is not a definite end to their careers. “You can never say it (career) is finished because cricket is a funny game. It does look like it is the end of the road for them but they will have to score tons of runs to stake their claim for a place.”