Mumbai, Oct 04: The Indian cricket team, to play in the first Test match against the visiting New Zealanders, would be picked today at Rajkot. Both Sadagoppan Ramesh and Akash Chopra are strong contenders for the place of opening batsmen. Cricket board secretary, S K Nair told that the selectors under the chairmanship of former Test star Brijesh Patel would meet at Rajkot during the three-day match between India 'A' and New Zealand to pick the squad for the first Test in Ahmedabad from October 8-12.


Yesterday, opening batsman Sadagopan Ramesh staked his claim for a Test recall with a fine 110 as India 'A' reached 216 for four in their first innings on the second day of the three-day cricket match against New Zealand.
Replying to New Zealand's first innings total of 375 for seven declared, the Indians were off to a good start, thanks to a 164-run stand for the opening wicket between Ramesh and Akash Chopra (66 off 136 balls).
A slump in the middle cost India 'A' three quick wickets including that of another prospective opener Connor Williams and skipper Mohammed Kaif (4) but Ramesh stood his ground to stem the rot before he was caught by Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming off Darryl Tuffey after facing 206 balls.
At the close, Hemang Badani was batting on seven while Murali Kartik was on four.
It was imperative for India A to put up a good show with the bat as the bowlers, three of them untested -- Munaf Patel, Rudra Pratap Singh and S Sreesanth -- had allowed the visitors to pile runs at will.
And the India 'A' openers did not disappoint.
Ramesh, who was dropped on 96 by first slip fielder Scot Styris, got to the three figure mark when he pushed Styris to mid-off for a couple. His century came off 190 balls in 252 minutes and included 18 hits to the fence.
The Tamil Nadu left-hander was undeterred in his shot making by the fall of his partner Chopra, who was caught by Paul Wiseman in the deep while trying to hook Jacob Oram for 66 (13x4). Bureau Report