At a chaotic press-conference in the dusty hall of the Jaipur cricket union, the chairman of the Indian selectors, Chandu Borde, confirmed that Virender Sehwag was still in contention for the first Test against England starting at Mohali on Monday, despite all the ramifications that his selection might bring. As an atmosphere of impending crisis envelops the tour, with cricket dominating the front pages in local newspapers and the weekly news magazines, Borde said that the selectors had received "no directive from the BCCI, so we will be selecting the team on merit".

Sehwag scored a century against South Africa in his maiden Test, only two matches ago. Asked whether this meant that he would be in the squad on merit, Borde confirmed: "On merit, he walks in, I think."

Borde added that he felt under no pressure because of the ramifications of picking Sehwag - who the BCCI consider served his one-match ban during the unofficial Test against South Africa, but the ICC do not. If Sehwag is picked for Mohali, the Test will be called unofficial and England, who play under the ICC's jurisdiction, will not be able to take part.

When asked if the best thing to do to head off potential conflict was not to pick Sehwag, Borde replied: "That decision lies with the board not the selecting committee."

The 14 for the first Test is due to be announced at 4pm tomorrow Indian time (11.30am GMT), but the final XI not until the morning of the match - which could leave England in the nightmare position of not knowing whether or not the match is official until an hour before play begins on Monday.

The word in India was that ICC's bosses would conduct talks with Jagmohan Dalmiya by video link-up today and would then hold a press conference at its headquarters at Lord's in London at 4.30pm GMT (10pm Indian time).

Two definite things did emerge about the Indian team to face England. It will be captained by Sourav Ganguly, who has been reappointed for the entire Test and one-day series. And Javagal Srinath, the veteran seam bowler who had just returned to his best form, will miss the first Test after being hit on the hand in the unofficial Test at Centurion.

Tanya Aldred is assistant editor of wisden.com.

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