For Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan, Sehwag, India Door is Closed: Sourav Ganguly

Not surprised at their omission from the list of 30 probables named for next year's cricket World Cup Down Under, former India captain Sourav Ganguly says the national selectors have shown their 'respect' by not picking the 'Big' 5. India will finally select 15 players by January first week for the February 14-March 29 tournament and if merit is any yardstick, Ganguly feels there is no place the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan.

Writing for Times of India, Ganguly said: "If you have to select these players among the 30 probables, it would not be right to leave them out from the final 15. To be honest, I didn't expect them to be picked." Ganguly, who led India in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, says the Big 5 have been clearly overtaken by youngsters who have grabbed their opportunities, performed and made the cut. (India can't carry 'passengers' in World Cup 2015: Gavaskar)

It was during Ganguly's captaincy that the careers of Yuvraj, Sehwag, Harbhajan and Zaheer blossomed. But the former captain says reality and emotions do not meet in modern day cricket. "The tri-series in Australia is the only tournament left before the World Cup and with India's recent ODI success in England and against Sri Lanka at home, the in-form players had to be picked. So the doors closed on these seniors automatically," Ganguly wrote. (Team India's 'Big' five sacked: Fan reactions)

"Now, the question is: Where does it leave Sehwag, Yuvraj, Gambhir, Zaheer and Harbhajan? All are in their 30s and it is a normal tendency of teams that once the World Cup is over, depending on success or failure, the selectors would look ahead. So, though I believe that in sport it is never over till it's actually over, it will be very, very hard for them but to return to ODIs." (Yuvraj, Bhajji sacked due to poor form: Prasanna)

While backing selectors for picking youngsters with credibility and future, Ganguly is not sure whether the experience of the Big 5 will be missed during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

"India's performance in ODIs has been outstanding in India. Even with the absence of a very good ODI player, MS Dhoni, India thrashed Sri Lanka 5-0 at home. But other than in England, their performance overseas has not been that great.

"When you gamble in shorter formats, you would gamble with the younger players. However, with the World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, only time will say whether it is the right decision," wrote Ganguly.