While Ajit Wadekar and Deep Dasgupta expressed ‘disappointment’ over the decision, Erapalli Prasanna and Kiran More gave the thumbs up to the selectors for the “bold” move.

Former captain Ajit Wadekar termed dropping of Ganguly and Dravid as “unfortunate”.

“Ganguly has been among the runs in recent times. He has a hang of the conditions in Australia as he has played there earlier. The selectors probably thought he would be a bit of a liability on the field,” Wadekar said.

“Rahul’s omission is more unfortunate. He was getting back among the runs and is also very good in the field.

Though I think it is a good team, the selectors would have done better by including these seniors,” he said.

Former Indian opener Deep Dasgupta said: “First of all, it is very bad timing. The decision has come before the fourth Test when we have a chance of levelling the series. What is the point behind announcing the side at this point when three of the players are expected to play a key role in Adelaide Test,” Dasgupta said.

“Secondly, both Rahul and Sourav have been doing well in Australia. To succeed in the triangular series, you need experience and technically sound players. So, I think it is not the best of ideas to keep these players out,” he added. However, legendary off-spinner Prasanna said the selectors had picked the team with an eye on the future.

“Today or tomorrow, the seniors will retire. So the juniors need to be given opportunities. It will help juniors to be ready to play well after the seniors hang their boots,” Prasanna said.

Moreover, Prasanna felt, the limited over game requires younger players. “It’s a fair deal. One-dayers are played in top gear and so youngsters like Suresh Raina and Praveen Kumar are suited for this form of the game,” the former off-spinner said.

Perhaps, the selectors’ decision to exclude Ganguly was influenced by the fact that he is not that agile on the field, Prasanna said. He also did not think that the omission of these players from the one-day side would tell upon India’s performance in the fourth Test in Adelaide. “These are all senior players and why should this decision reflect on their performance in the fourth Test,” Prasanna said.

Former Indian stumper Kiran More said the selectors had done the right thing by relying on the younger lot. “It is a good team.

The selection panel is looking at the future. They are building a team for the 2011 World Cup. So, I feel it is good move to leave out the seniors,” More, a former chairman of national slectors, said.

Former national selector from East Zone, Sambaran Banerjee meanwhile blasted the selection, saying the BCCI has made the selection of players according to their whims and fancies.