Why is Zaheer in the Indian squad?

The Indians were defeated by the Sri Lankans on Sunday but not disgraced and that is the good part about this Indian team, writes Kris Srikkanth.

The Indians were defeated by the Sri Lankans on Sunday but not disgraced and that is the good part about this Indian team. They do not go down easily.

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The bowling, however, was a major problem, with none of the bowlers able to find their rhythm. I felt that the faster bowlers in particular did not apply themselves to the extent expected of them in an international match.

Then again this kind of a failure is better experienced in the preliminary rounds rather than the business end of the tournament that gets underway on Wednesday.

The Lankans must be given their due. They are normally prone to playing flair cricket but on the day the hosts were all about determination. Mahela though was classy as usual and with the genius of Murali around to take care of the never-say-die attitude of Rahul, the Lankans came away with a well-earned victory.

If I were part of the Indian team management, I would be more worried about Mr Zaheer Khan’s fitness or the lack of it than this loss itself. Rational thinking tells you that you lose some and win some in any sport but if anybody were to tell me that Zaheer's selection in the Indian team was a rational decision, I would want to have a strong word or two with them.

It was very apparent that Zaheer wasn't fit and yet he was made to bowl as many as nine overs. It's really tough to understand what is going on.

First I would like someone to tell me on what basis was Zaheer selected for the tournament in the first place. He broke down on the Australian tour, failed to complete the Pakistan tour, declared himself fit during the training camps in Bangalore and Chennai, went through one match in the Asia Cup and promptly limps off in the second after clearly struggling right through his spell.

I really can't fathom how this can happen. What are the selectors doing and what are the trainers and fitness experts attached to the team up to?

Could they not realise that Zaheer is simply not fit enough? What perplexes me is that so much emphasis is given to fitness these days and yet these things keep happening and worse, nobody seems to notice.

Don't get me wrong here. I have nothing against Zaheer. Its just that by playing despite being unfit, he's not letting just himself down — he's letting the team down as well. The selectors and team management must do their homework before picking the side and it is time they were questioned on such matters.

The other aspect that left me stumped was the Indians opening their innings with Parthiv Patel. Unfortunately, the fears expressed in my earlier column came true. Laxman got injured and there was no batsman available to replace him. When you are chasing a big total, a good start is of paramount importance and to see young Parthiv walk out with Sachin was an absolute shock.

The worst part of it all is the fact that the Indians do not just possess two of the world's best one-day openers but have three such people in their ranks.

If Sehwag wasn't to open for some reason, why couldn't Ganguly have come out in his place — after all, Sachin and Ganguly have been one of India's most dangerous opening pairs in the past.

Ultimately this tour is going to be an eye opener as far as selection and team composition goes. It's time we select our sides rationally.