BCCI picks, drops tainted keeper

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors goofed up by naming suspended wicketkeeper Abhishek Gupta in one of the squads for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Gupta is currently serving an eight-month suspension for doping violation but was initially named in the India Red squad, according to a release sent earlier on Monday.

However, late in the evening, a red-faced BCCI scrambled to name Vidarbha wicket-keeper Akshay Wadkar as replacement. The BCCI had charged Gupta with committing a doping violation during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in an official press release on June 7 and was suspended for eight months with effect from January 15, the day he was tested.

“It was brought to notice by the BCCI Anti-Doping team that Mr. Abhishek Gupta who was initially added in the India Red squad is serving an 8-month ban for a doping violation. His ban is set to end on the 14th of September, 2018. The senior selection committee has reached a consensus that Mr. Akshay Wadkar will be included in the India Red team as Mr. Gupta’s replacement,” said the release sent later.

This season’s Duleep Trophy is scheduled to be held between August 17 and September 8. Gupta was suspended for the ‘inadvertent ingestion’ of Terbutaline that is commonly found in cough syrups.

Gupta had admitted to the charges, saying he had inadvertently taken it following his doctor’s prescription to treat a respiratory tract infection.

When reached, Gupta too sounded confused. “The ban expires on September 14. I have not got any official email or phone call from the BCCI on my selection in the India Red team for

Duleep Trophy yet. When and if I do, then I will inquire about the status of my selection. I am also a bit confused at the moment,” said Gupta, who is currently attending an off-season camp in Mohali.

The BCCI named squads for the upcoming four-day game against South Africa ‘A’ and a quadrangular series. They also announced the three squads — India Blue, India Red and India Green — for the Duleep Trophy.

CHAHAL IN ‘A’ SQUAD

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was named in the India ‘A’ team for the two four-day matches against South Africa ‘A’, starting August 4 in an effort to get him match-ready for the latter part of the Test tour of England, beginning August 1. The matches will be played in Belgaum (Aug 4-7) and Bangalore (Aug 10-13).