When questioned in Nagpur why an out-of-form Azhar was saddled with the immense responsibility of leading the Indian side to the World Cup, the Board chiefsaid, ``He was scoring a lot of runs when we decided to repose our faith (sic) in him.''

Talking exclusively to The Indian Express, the chief priest of Indian cricket strived to scotch the controversy surrounding medium pacer Debasis Mohanty's surprise inclusion in the Indian World Cup squad. Dungarpur defended his selection with ``(Mohanty) is a good mover of the ball and would prove to be very useful in English conditions.'' This, incidentally, is in stark contrast to the view of coach Anshuman Gaekwad who has put experience over and above such extraneous criteria.

``The ball is expected to move in the early part of the session because the moisture content in the wicket is high in England and Mohanty would be ideal in such conditions. The selectors thought at one time that Laxmi Ratan Shukla would blossom and get a place in the list of 19 but the youngster, though a talented cricketer, has been recently blooded. The selectors debated before coming to a conclusion and their decision is absolutely justified,'' said Dungarpur.

He, however, agreed that Madhya Pradesh left-hander Amay Khurasia got his break a bit late.

``I agree that Khurasia got his chance a bit late.

``He should have broken into the one-day side, when he hit a 100 against the visiting Australians.''

Disappointed by the recent poor run of the Indian team, Dungarpur said the issue of appointing a psychologist was ``debatable''.

``No member of the Indian team was keen about psychological boosting. Mental motivation and psychological treatment are needed by a losing team.''

The Board President lavishly praised Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Leaving none in doubt about Sachin's pivotal position in the team Dungarpur said, ``What Lara is for West Indies, Tendulkar is for India. He is an integral part of the Indian team's think tank and Sachin's void can't be filled by any other player. Sachin was keen to go to Sharjah but we don't want to take any chances before the World Cup''.

About the not-so-good-not-so-bad fielding of the Indian team despite appointing Andrew Kokinos as trainer, Dungarpur said, ``We are not an athletic nation. It needs strength, stamina and a very high level of fitness, which cannot be developed in eight months. ``The fitness level of the players should be raised and there is a need to inculcate a fitness regimen for under-16 players''.

Regarding the three-man selection panel, Dungarpur said, ``that needs constitutional amendment. ``We are hoping to do it before the Board's annual general meeting in September but only if it gets a two-third majority''.