Former captain Sourav Ganguly is likely to be left out of the probables list for the ICC Champions Trophy when the national selectors meet in Bangalore on Wednesday.
With the five wise men having made up their mind to pick 23 to 25 probables and give chance to some fringe players, Ganguly stands a remote chance of making a comeback.
According to BCCI sources, the decision has been taken as per coach Greg Chappell's views.
"Apart from the present 15 that will tour Sri Lanka, eight to ten others will be picked on the basis of their ranking," sources in the BCCI said on Tuesday.
"Some fringe players, including those who have played for the country, will find place in the list."
They added that this was not a move to scuttle Ganguly's chances of making a comeback and that they were only taking steps for the good of the game.
"Anything that is done for the good of the game is always viewed in this manner. But, it is definitely not to keep him out. We are going by the coach's decision. If Ganguly performs well in the near future, he will get a look in."
However, one selector, who did not want to be named, boosted hopes for Ganguly's comeback.
"We need to submit a list of probables, with the maximum number of 30 players, to the ICC. If we are to pick 30 probables, then we cannot afford to ignore Ganguly.
"Actually the committee and the team management are looking ahead towards the future, particularly the 2007 World Cup. In this scenario, the logical proposition would be to give chance to youngsters," the selector said.
He also listed some names that could be considered for the future.
"Anil Kumble has been proving himself in English County and a few under-19 players have also shone during the ongoing tour of England. Besides, players like Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla and some others definitely deserve attention," he said.
Apart from the 15 Sri Lanka-bound players, cricketers who are likely to be included among the probables for Champions Trophy are Robin Uthappa, Anil Kumble, V R V Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, V Yo Mahesh, S Badrinath, Piyush Chawla, Venugopal Rao and Zaheer Khan.
