Omission of senior players from World Cup probables was expected: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar agrees with the omission of senior players from the 30-man squad for the WC

India announced their 30-man preliminary squad for the 2015 World Cup on Wednesday, and the big talking point from the probable list was the omission of the five star players from India’s World Cup win in 2011, namely Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir. While some believe that at least a few of the five, if not all, deserved to be a part of the squad, there are others who think otherwise.

Concurring with those who think it was the right move to omit the senior players, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that the Indian selectors took the correct decision by going with the younger players and that the team couldn’t afford to carry passengers on the trip Down Under.

"It was not a surprise because they did not figure in the playing XI for over a year and a half," Gavaskar told NDTV.

"If they had been scoring runs or taking wickets (in domestic matches), they would have certainly been in contention. Cricket (however) has become quicker, faster and teams cannot afford to take passengers," the former India opener added.

Form is more important than experience: Gavaskar

Ever since the World Cup in 2011, all the five players have been through a serious dip in form and hence haven’t found a permanent spot in the team. Gavaskar felt that while the experience of these players would’ve come to great use in Australian conditions, the fact that the runs from their bat have completely dried up in the last few seasons, has led to their non-selection in the squad.

"Experience is invaluable, particularly in must-win games. But the fact is that they have not been in form, they haven't brushed for a place in the 30 probables is a telling indicator," he said.

MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin are the only 4 survivors from the group that won in 2011 in Mumbai, and the 65-year-old feels that while this is surely surprising, it is an indication of the pace at which the ODI game has progressed in the last few years.

"Certainly this is something which is unusual. (But) It is the nature of the game, this is the way the game has progressed," he said.

Can't say that they are done and dusted: Gavaskar

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator felt that despite not being named in the squad, they can still make a return to the side, following the mega event.

"You can never say it (career) is finished because cricket is a funny game.It does look like it is the end of the road for them but they will have to score tons of runs to stake their claim for the team," he said.

The final fifteen for the World Cup will be picked on January 7.