Ganguly retained as Indian captain

Sourav Ganguly was retained as captain on Thursday for India's tour of South Africa starting next month, despite the recent 2-1 test series loss to Sri Lanka.

The national selectors said the rest of the team for the tour, which includes three tests and a triangular one-day series also involving Kenya, will be named on Friday.

Critics had been calling for Ganguly's removal after India lost the second of two tests to draw an away series 1-1 in Zimbabwe and then went on to lose in Sri Lanka.

But the selectors told reporters they wanted to give Ganguly another opportunity and their decision was unanimous.

"We talked about his leadership qualities," said Chandu Borde, the chairman of selectors.

"He's won six tests for India and led the team to four one-day finals. We've found his performance fairly satisfactory. We want to give him another opportunity," he added.

Ganguly showed signs of recovering from a poor run with the bat that lasted almost a year when he scored a match-winning 98 not out in the second test against Sri Lanka in Kandy last month, finishing the series with an average of 33.20.

He led India to a stunning 2-1 test series win at home against Australia earlier this year.

Borde said the selectors made their decision after discussions with India's coach, former New Zealand skipper John Wright, who was invited for the meeting.

INJURED PLAYERS

India are hoping the four injured players who missed the Sri Lanka series recover before the team leaves for South Africa on September 24.

Sachin Tendulkar, who was ruled out of the Sri Lankan tour because of a fractured foot, has been declared fit along with leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who has been sidelined for almost a year because of a shoulder injury.

"Sachin is well and he will play," said Jaywant Lele, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"John Wright saw Kumble bowling in the nets and he was happy," Lele added.

But it was still not clear whether Vangipurappu Laxman, who had surgery for a knee ligament tear, and left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra, out with a groin injury, will be available for selection.

"We will select players subject to their fitness and not on their skill alone. We don't want to send injured players on the tour," Borde said.

Paceman Javagal Srinath, who fractured his left hand during the first test against Sri Lanka and was sent home early, is expected to be fit in a week. He is available for selection.

"The South Africa tour will be tough. That's why fitness is so important there," Lele said.

"A lot depends on the nature of injury. We'll decide after discussing the fitness report from team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus about all the players," he added.

Mail Cricket Editor