5 from Gujarat in 2011 World Cup shortlist

Five players from the state, including captain of the Gujarat cricket team Parthiv Patel, are among the 30 probables for India's World Cup team named on Saturday by the BCCI selection committee headed by K Srikkanth.

However, the five-member panel has overlooked Irfan Pathan, who is recovering from a back injury.

The five players from Gujarat are: Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel; Yusuf Pathan and Munaf Patel of Baroda; and Saurashtra's Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja.

The committee that met at the Cricket Centre, Mumbai, also named Dinesh Karthik and Wriddhiman Saha for the second wicketkeeper's post. But, according to Anshuman Gaekwad, Parthiv is the front-runner as a reserve keeper to India captain MS Dhoni.

"If you look at the records, you can see that Parthiv has been very successful," said Gaekwad, former India coach. "It is just chance that he has not clicked this season. Selectors will emphasize his wicket-keeping more than his batting. Parthiv should focus more on his keeping and grab any opportunity that comes his way, before the World Cup in February."

Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan is conspicuous by his absence from the list of 'probables'. Yusuf Pathan's younger brother is undergoing special training at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to recover from a persistent back injury.

BCA officials had claimed that Irfan would join the team mid-way through the Ranji Trophy season, but the injury continues to keep the all-rounder away from the action.

Gaekwad also feels that Irfan's omission is justified, given the fact that the all-rounder has not played a match this season. "It's not surprising that he has been overlooked. Match fitness is going to be the key in deciding who gets to play in the World Cup. He is still recovering. On the other hand, his brother (Yusuf) has a very good chance of making it to the squad. As for the other players from Gujarat, they will have to work hard to make it to the playing eleven." said Gaekwad, while referring to Munaf, Pujara and Jadeja.

Expressing similar views, Niranjan Shah said, “With Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gambhir turning out in India colours, Pujara and Jadeja will have to wait," Shah said.