The selectors have tried to provide the teammanagement with a backup option for all departments in the upcoming Test seriesagainst England, according to new chief selector Sandeep Patil who today saidpromising youngsters will get their "due chance" whenever the slotsopen up.
Patil also clarified that the selectors had chosen threeopeners and not four in the Indian squad with Murali Vijay being the reserveopener and Ajinkya Rahane being picked as a middle order batsman.
"We have selected three openers, not four. Ajinkya Rahanehas been picked as a middle-order batsman. We have tried to provide the captainand the team management with a backup option for all departments. We have anextra spinner, top-order batsman, middle-order batsman and pacer", hesaid.
Asked whether the selectors had any specific long-term goalfor the team, Patil said " No, were going match by match and series byseries."
"Every match is going to be important and we want theIndian team to do well in each of those matches. Lets not talk about the seasonahead of us but this series against England that is coming up", he toldBCCI's official website.
The 56-year-old Patil, a former Indian cricketer known forhis flamboyant batting, said that he will try to blood the youngsters wheneverthe opportunity came.
"We have good established cricketers in the team. Theopportunities will come for the youngsters. Its a long season and everybodywill get his due chance whenever a slot opens up", he said.
Asked if there was anything that he would like to continuefrom the previous selection committee, he said " The previous committeedid a fantastic job. They won the World Cup! Wed like to take the good workperformed by them forward during our tenure".
Patil, who was also a coach before serving at the NationalCricket Academy (NCA) for three years as the Director of Operations, said hewould just focus on his job.
"You have to restrict yourself (from coaching players).
At this stage the responsibility Im given is that ofselecting the team and I will limit myself to performing that role", hesaid.
"Cricket is a challenging game, whether you are aplayer, a coach, a media person or a selector. You have to move forwardaccording to the changing times and the requirements of different formats. Ihope me and my committee fulfil our roles efficiently".
Patil said he shared a good rapport with his fellowselectors and that will help in their job.
"Were all very like-minded and have played together atsome time or the other. Roger (Binny) and I played a lot of cricket together.Saba (Karim) and Vikram (Rathod) have been with me on tours. So, its a nicegroup of five men who share the same thinking and objective", he said.
On whether his previous roles help will help his as thechairman of selectors, he said " In my three years at the NCA I had theopportunity to see each and every contracted player from close quarters.
"I got to know everything about them their technicalstrengths and where they lacked, their fitness and mental strength. I couldinteract with all these players and I got to know them inside-out. That willhelp me bridge the gap that exists between the selector and the player. I canpass on so much of that information to my colleagues and they will benefit fromit too", he added.