Tendulkar had already ruled himself out as a contender for captaincy for the trip to the Commonwealth Games and the crown automatically went to Ajay Jadeja. The selection committee began the meeting at 11 a.m. and Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and cricket manager Anshuman Gaekwad were summoned on conclusion of the practice session at 12.30 p.m. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, though in city, was not invited. Rungta explained that the selection of Srikkanth as manager of the team was not confirmed by the board till the meeting started. The choice of the selectors was restricted to the poolof 30 players whose application for visas are being readied.

Karim, Robin (Jr) out:

Two men had to taste the bitter pill of being left out of the two buses and the axe fell on Delhi's Robin Singh Junior and Bihar's Saba Karim, both of whom seemed to have been tuckered out by the punishing schedule at the camp. But it seems all is not lost for Karim, who has been in and out of the Indian team. Rungta lent him the hope. ``He has a future like any other cricketer. Unfortunately, he could not get a place. His chances of getting into the Indian team are bright but here it was a matter of performance,'' he said.

Rohan Gavaskar in:

Sunil Gavaskar's son, Rohan, found a berth in the Commonwealth Games team, and his inclusion was the only one of real significance apart from the return of all-rounder Sunil Joshi.

Board secretary JY Lele scotched the reports that the board had received directives from Indian Olympic Association and the government in selecting the teams. ``We have short-listed 30names for Commonwealth Games and Sahara Cup. The team has been selected out of it,'' he said and added that there was no question of taking the players from outside the pool.

No compulsion:

Rungta, immediately, sprang to his secretary's defence by saying that there was no compulsion from any quarters. ``Both are prestigious teams. We want to field two best teams. A weak team with youngsters would not help. In fact, we are fortunate to have so many good players. The teams are well balanced and we have very bright chances of winning the tournaments.''

Rungta hinted that the two tournaments are in fact a blessing in disguise. ``It's a golden opportunity for us to assess the performances of the players,' he said.

The questions veered to Tendulkar's inclusion in the Kuala Lumpur bound team and his exclusion for Toronto. Rungta went into a diplomates. ``Sachin is too good a player and I need not have to make a statement. But let's talk in a practical way. One-day game is a different cup of tea andall players are important in this game of chances. The day he plays well, we win.''

``In fact, it was quite obvious to us that Sachin had to go to Kuala Lumpur. The decision was taken by the selection committee and not by anyone else,'' Rungta said.

No match fee:

Lele said the Kuala Lumpur bound team would not get either logo money or the match fee. ``Basically, they would be getting nothing,'' he said. When asked whether the players would be compensated for playing in the Games and fighting for the country's honour, Lele was not firm and merely replied: ``We will see in the general body meeting.''

The topic shifted to whittling down the numbers in the selection committee. Lele said though the issue is alive for a long time, there should be further discussion on the subject. ``We are contemplating to reduce the number from five to three. A separate AGM is planned after the cricket season starts,'' he said.

When Lele was questioned on the logic behind sending physical trainer Andrew Kokinosas the physiotherapist to Kuala Lumpur, he said the IOA will be sending doctors with the Indian contingent and there was no need for a separate doctor. Lele said Dr Chadha would double up as a physical trainer in Toronto.

Sidhu fit:

Meanwhile, Rungta said Navjot Sidhu, who has blisters on his feet and who was not batting in the nets for the past three days, would be fit by the time the tournament starts.

When this reporter asked whether there is any hope for talented Tamil Nadu, Railways and Karnataka cricketers or should they stop playing the game, Rungta said: ``We have not forgotten them. Every Indian has got a chance to play for the country. We don't have any prejudices,'' he said.

Rungta was asked whether the selection committee mistook Jyoti Yadav for Madhya Pradesh's Jai Prakash Yadav, who scored a blistering 90 in 38 balls. ``There was no confusion. JP Yadav's performance is not up to the mark. He scored just one century in the season, a 109, in the second innings.''

The Sahara Cupteam would leave from Delhi on Sept 9 and the Games' team will leave from Mumbai on 7th. The team for tour of Zimbabwe will be selected on Sept 19, he said.