The Hyderabad one-dayer on Friday will be the key, but now the selectors want to name the squad for the rest of the series in one go.

And in that, for the first time in 18 years, Sachin Tendulkar just might have to strive to keep his place in the one-day team. A source says Tendulkar, and even Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly could find the going tough.

Last week the selectors had announced that team selection, for the current seven-match one-day series would be on a rotation policy. They had also indicated then that seniors would be rested for a couple of one-dayers in order to give the youngsters an opportunity.

The Kochi defeat on Tuesday is probably forcing their hands. Selectors may not be naming the team for the fourth and fifth one-dayers after Hyderabad, but for the series.

A senior selector told The Indian Express, “performances in the match in Hyderabad will definitely be taken into consideration. If he has had nothing to show, then whether he be a senior or a junior, he will surely be rested. And this won’t be just about rotation. Non-performers will be dropped, there are several waiting for a chance.”

While Sourav Ganguly looks good to be continued with, because he missed the Kochi match due to a hamstring injury, Tendulkar (who scored 16 today) — regardless of the rotation policy — could face the heat.

The selectors are intent on drafting Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma in the eleven along with Bangalore’s Robin Uthappa who played only because Ganguly was rested. “Since Ganguly had to miss out in the Kochi match because of injury, he will retain his place. But the rest will have to perform or sit out,” the selector said.

Sharma and Utthappa, both members of the Twenty20 side, lost their places (Twenty20 squad) to seniors Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly in the ODI team.