Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels IPL, or rather Twenty20s, shouldn’t be considered as a selection platform for orthodox cricket. The selection committee begs to differ.

The national selectors will consider the performances in the ongoing Champions League T20 when they pick the squad for the ODI home series against Australia that starts on October 25.

“Champions League is a good competition with so many international players playing. Of course, we will keep an eye on it,” a selector told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity.

With the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy going on alongside the Champions League, it seems the five wise men have a tough time to decide which one should be given the priority. Asked if the BCCI has given any directives in this regard, the selector said: “Nothing. We will keep one eye on the Challengers and the other on the Champions League.”

The selectors, however, still don’t have the report if Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh would be available for the series against Australia. “The Board will inform us in due course. If they are not fit, they are not available for selection.”

Rahul Dravid, brought back into India’s ODI scheme of things after a two-year gap, seems to have put the selectors in dilemma. After India’s early exit from the Champions Trophy it has now become a big question if Dravid will hold on to his place in the ODI team. “Dravid is a great player and the decision rests on him if he would be continuing in the shorter version. He did a decent job, both in Sri Lanka and in the Champions Trophy. It would be a mistake to rule him out,” the selector opined. He, however, hinted that a few good knocks from the former captain in the Champions League will make things easier for the selectors.