Kirmani for separate teams for tests, one-days E twenty20

Kochi, May 19 (UNI) Former Chairman of selectors Syed Kirmani today said India should have separate teams for test matches, ODI's and the new twenty20 over version of cricket as one team cannot play all the games.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the players were already overloaded and even young players were falling prey to injuries.

Stating that the 20-over version of the game would require more physical fitness, he said it suited younger players more.

''Not only the age, but fitness and performance also should be the criterion for selection of the team for the 20-20 World Cup to be held in South Africa in September this year, he added.

He said five years down the line, the shorter version of the game was likely to be more popular as it would generate more excitement in a short period.

Asked about players like Virender Sehwag finding a place in the team even after failing to perform regularly, Kirmani said ''there are lucky blue-eyed boys who stay in the team even when they do not perform while there are others who are made the scapegoats.'' Asked if the ''lucky players'' had godfathers to protect them, he answered ''Maybe. Aren't there godfathers everywhere.'' On who should be the next coach of the Indian team, Kirmani quipped ''do players like Tendulkar or Dravid need a coach.'' Stating that a coach was not needed for players at the international level, Kirmani said coaching was needed at the grassroot level, for 15 to 17 year-olds.

The team which lifted the World Cup in 1983, of which he was a member, did not have a coach, a physiotherapist, a doctor or a trainer, he added.

''But, times have changed and sports has become a big industry so we have professional coaches,'' he said.

He said it did not matter whether the next coach was an Indian or a foreigner, but''he should be a motivator, somebody with the stature of Greg Chappel or John Wright. He should be a person accepted and respected by one and all, particularly the team with which he has to work.

UNI