It’s not official, but Sachin & Viru look set to be back - Buzz that Dhoni may be rested for part of test series vs WI

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LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI

Calcutta: It’s not official, but word is that both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are available for selection. Accordingly, they’re expected to feature in the India XV for the first Test against the West Indies, at the Kotla, from November 6. The selectors — Krish Srikkanth, Mohinder Amarnath, Narendra Hirwani, Surendra Bhave and Raja Venkat — are meeting here on Friday evening. The last selection committee meeting in the city was, well, aeons ago. Sehwag, in fact, may even get the captaincy if Srikkanth and his colleagues decide to rest Mahendra Singh Dhoni — in the first Test and, possibly, in the second (at the Eden from November 14) as well. Late on Thursday, the buzz indeed was to that effect. However, nobody in any position of authority was available to confirm/deny what was going around. Nothing, clearly, is more important than Dhoni being mentally and physically up to it when the India squad touches down in Australia in about six weeks. According to The Telegraph’s sources, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are also fit and available. Yuvraj and Ishant look certain to be in the XV, but Rohit could be in a toss-up with Ajinkya Rahane. Harbhajan Singh may become a major point of discussion. Indications are that the veteran off-spinner could have to wait for his India return as Ravichandran Ashwin has strong backers. Besides, Ashwin has been performing. The other point of debate may involve Suresh Raina. At this point in time, the stars don’t appear too bright for the left-hander, who is such a dominant force in limited overs cricket. Virat Kohli, who has been in superb touch, is expected to make the XV as a reserve specialist batsman. Well-placed sources have pointed out that either Varun Aaron or Umesh Yadav, both of whom are quick, would be in the squad. An absolute dark horse is all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. If he does get a call-up, then Pragyan Ojha or Amit Mishra would miss out. On the face of it, the selectors certainly have plenty to choose from. The Likely Squad,(as of Thursday night) Batsmen: Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane/Rohit Sharma Wicket-keeper: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain) Spinners: Harbhajan Singh/Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha Medium pacers: Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Varun Aaron/Umesh Yadav Dark horse: Ravindra Jadeja Note: If Dhoni indeed is rested, then Wriddhiman Saha should stand behind the stumps.