The Challenger Edition, as expected, threw up the usual set of players who could be considered for the next international squad. One of them has been rewarded with a place in the Indian ODI team for the Pakistan series, whereas another was given a comeback to the squad after missing out in some of the recent tournaments.

One of the Big Three was finally 'rested' - though that could be looked at a way in which the think-tank might be looking to phase them out from the ODI scene. Was it justified? I think so, in the main.

Rahul Dravid, in spite of his vast experience, must have been waiting for an opportunity to take some time off and think about his career. This break will give The Wall the opportunity to come into the Test series with renewed vigour and confidence.

'Maybe the think tank will try and place Sehwag in the middle-order so that he can try his luck there instead'

Virender Sehwag had to score a 75 in one of his two innings in the Challengers to book a place in the squad. While that is proof enough that the selectors considered the performances in Challengers as the criteria for selection, one had to feel for S Badrinath, who scored well and stylishly in all the matches. Where the selectors thought that Sehwag could fit in, is a matter of intrigue. There are five openers in the selected squad - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Sehwag. Maybe the think tank will try to place Sehwag in the middle-order so that he can try his luck there instead.

Praveen Kumar is in direct competition with Irfan Pathan for the place of all-rounder. Whether the management will be brave enough to blood him in the seniors remains to be seen. He has shown that he can open the bowling as well as batting, if required. The dressing-room experience would be good enough for Praveen to move to the next level. Bowling to the greats in the nets would be an experience for him to cherish as had playing against them gave confidence to Rohit Sharma.

RP Singh and Sri Sreesanth would be expected to play circus for the last bowling slot, as they did in the last series against Australia. They would be blooded along with Zaheer Khan in pitches outside the subcontinent where they get help. But in India, Harbhajan Singh and Murali Karthik would be picked as the two spinners.