Munaf Patel is selectors' choice

Debasish Datta sports@mid-day.com FOLLOWING India's debacle in the opening game of the tri-series against New Zealand, the Indian team management has requested the Board of Control for Cricket India to add an extra pacer to the squad, it is learnt. India were dismissed for 88 in the tournament opener in Dambulla after New Zealand fought their way back after an early collapse to post 288. It is learnt that the Indian board immediately forwarded the request to the selecti

Following India's debacle in the opening game of the tri-series against New Zealand, the Indian team management has requested the Board of Control for Cricket India to add an extra pacer to the squad, it is learnt.

India were dismissed for 88 in the tournament opener in Dambulla after New Zealand fought their way back after an early collapse to post 288.

It is learnt that the Indian board immediately forwarded the request to the selection committee headed by former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

The five-man committee short-listed three bowlers, R Vinay Kumar, Munaf Patel and Ashok Dinda.

The selectors are keen on sending Munaf Patel but it will be interesting to see if the team management accepts the seamer since he did not feature in any of the three Tests that preceded the tri-series, with the management preferring to play Abhimanyu Mithun instead.

However, the selectors are quite keen on Munaf and will surely push him all the way.

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