'Selectors' decision must be respected' - Irfan khan

Out-of-favour India allrounder Irfan Pathan has said that the selection committee's decision to drop five senior players from the 30-member probables list for 2015 ODI World Cup should be respected.

"It was selectors' decision to drop the senior players from the World Cup probables' list. It has to be respected," Irfan said, while responding to a query on selection committee's decision to drop the five senior players from the Indian side for the 2015 World Cup. He was in Ahmedabad to unveil the World Cup 2015 trophy.

Senior players Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir along with pacer Zaheer Khan and offspinner Harbhajan Singh, who were part of 2011 World Cup winning team, were not included in the probables list for cricket's biggest tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Pacers Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel, spinner Piyush Chawla and allrounder Yusuf Pathan were also among players axed from the list announced by BCCI on December 4 after a meeting of the selection committee. Irfan said India and South Africa were his favourites.

"India would obviously be my favourite team in the next World Cup. Besides, South Africa, with good fast bowlers will have an advantage. I would love to see the final between India and South Africa," he said.

Irfan said the Indian team will be at advantage because the upcoming series in Australia ahead of the World Cup.

"Indian team will play cricket in Australia for next two-three months. Our team will surely get the advantage of it. Players will become familiar and acclimatised with the conditions there and will get its advantage in the World Cup."