The Indian Cricket Board today claimed it was unaware of any talks between senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar and national selectors on his future in the wake of a prolonged form slump.
“I am not aware of it,” said BCCI Secretary and Senior Selection panel convener Sanjay Jagdale when contacted in Indore for his reaction to media reports today that Tendulkar spoke to Chief Selector Sandeep Patil before yesterday’s selection meeting at the Board headquarters here.
Media reports claimed that Tendulkar was asked about his future plans, specifically about his retirement from the game which he has played for over two decades. The selectors were reportedly told by the record-setting batsman that it was their call to decide on his future.
The 39-year-old, who has completed 23 years in international cricket, is among those who are under the fire for the humiliating 10-wicket defeat in home conditions against England here two days ago that helped the visitors level the four-match series 1-1.
Tendulkar, who is the only batsman to score 100 international hundreds and holds the world record for the maximum number of runs in Tests and ODIs as well as the highest number of runs in these two formats, is going through a lean patch dating back the Sydney Test in January in Australia.
He has been bowled or fallen leg before five times in his last four home Tests, prompting experts to say his reflexes have slowed down because he’s pushing 40.
Though India lost heavily, the national selectors have not dropped anyone from the next Test squad for under-performing and the lone man left out, Umesh Yadav, has been dropped because of a back injury.
The Kolkata Test is to be followed by the fourth and final game at Nagpur from December 13-17. For the last two Tests initially had a rethink and chose the team only for the third match.