Give some time to new Test selectors, says Ganguly

In the midst of criticism hurled at the new national senior selection panel for being thin on Test experience, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday said they should be given some time and it was too early to pass comment on them.

"I was not part of the process for choosing the selectors. But I want to say that they have just been elected, give them some time. It's too early to comment on them," Ganguly told media persons on the sidelines of a programme here when queried on the quintet's lack of Test exposure.

The members of the new committee chosen at the Indian cricket board Annual General meeting on September 21 have collectively played only 13 Test matches.

Its chairman M.S.K. Prasad has featured in half a dozen Tests, followed by Devang Gandhi in four, and Sarandeep Singh in three. The other two members Jatin Paranjpe and Gagan Khoda have turned out only in One-Dayers.

Ganguly said Gandhi deserved to be a selector.

"Devang is the selector from the east. He deserves to be a selector. I wish him all the best," he said.

Ganguly, who is the Cricket Association of Bengal President, expressed concern over the lack of spectators at the Green Park at Kanpur, where India are now playing their 500th Test against New Zealand.

"It's a concern. We are doing our best to bring crowd to the Eden Gardens," said Ganguly.

India and New Zealand would play the second Test of the series at the Eden Gardens from September 30.

"We have done whatever is needed to bring the crowds. We have added new features like the bell, just like the one there at the Lords," he said.

--IANS

dm-ssp/lok/vt