Counties lose Indian stars

Ganguly: Bowled by Durham's John Wood

India have included captain Saurav Ganguly, batsman Rahul Dravid and leg-spinner Anil Kumble in a 14-man squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup, even though all three are contracted to English counties for the summer.

Dravid has been named vice captain for the tournament. He takes over from all-rounder Ajay Jadeja for the three-way clash between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Ganguly will miss Lancashire's Benson & Hedges Cup semi-final against Gloucestershire on 28 May, but Kent and Leicestershire have differing views over the loss of Dravid and Kumble.

Dravid - Kent's appeal was rejected

Kent have complained that no mention was made of the one-day tournament in Bangladesh, which runs from 28 May to 8 June, when they agreed a contract with Dravid.

Chief executive Paul Millman said last week: "This situation, and others which affect other counties, raise questions about the playing of the international calendar and the effects of players' contracts in the future."

Lancashire believe, however, that they have the strength in depth to cope without Ganguly, and Leicestershire believe it would be wrong to prevent Kumble playing international cricket.

India's opening match is against hosts Bangladesh on 30 May. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also taking part in the tournament.

The Indian selectors have named two uncapped players in Tamil Nadu batsman Hemang Badani and medium-pacer Amit Bhandari from Delhi.

Badani was chosen ahead of Vinod Kambli, despite the latter's 330 runs in four Deodhar Trophy matches this season.

The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Ajit Agarkar and Thiru Kumaran, following Javagal Srinath's decision to quit one-day international cricket and the dropping of Venkatesh Prasad.

The Indian squad is: S Ganguly (capt), R Dravid (v/capt), S Tendulkar, M Azharuddin, A Jadeja, R Singh, H Badani, SS Karim (wkt), A Kumble, S Joshi, N Chopra, A Agarkar, T Kumaran. Coach: Kapil Dev.