Sourav Ganguly's hopes of an international comeback have been raised after a national selector said the sacked former captain is likely to be included in the provisional squad list for this year's ICC Champions Trophy.
"Ganguly is good enough to make the 30 probables," said the selector, who declined to be identified, on Tuesday.
"If he does not, it will be a surprise.
"He is still among the top cricketers in the country."
Currently playing for Northamptonshire in England, India's most successful Test skipper was sacked from the job and dropped from the one-day side last October, following a prolonged batting slump, fitness woes and a row with coach Greg Chappell.
The 34-year-old was subsequently dropped from the Test side following a 1-0 series loss in Pakistan in January, with chief selector Kiran More saying his panel wanted to infuse young blood.
The selectors meet on August 9 to finalise the initial list for the Champions Trophy which runs from October 7 to November 5 in India.
Although he may find it tough to break into the side for the event, cricket officials feel Ganguly's experience could be used during a busy season that includes a proposed tri-series against Australia and West Indies ahead of the Champions Trophy.
One of only four players to aggregate over 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, Ganguly has maintained that he wants to play in next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.
When contacted, Indian board secretary Niranjan Shah said: "To find 30 men, maybe they [selectors] require Ganguly."
India next play in a one-day tri-series in Colombo involving hosts Sri Lanka and South Africa from August 14.
