Did you take the chance to ask Chandu Borde, the chairman of India's selectors, a question about the team or his own career? Here's the fourth batch, with Chandu's answers. There will be another one in a fortnight's time, on the first day of the Oval Test, so if you want to ask a question send it now to ask@wisden.com I think India have certainly missed Javagal Srinath in the series against England. I wondered if any efforts were made to persuade this great servant of Indian cricket to delay his retirement? I notice it hasn't stopped him signing up for Leicestershire in the English County Championship ... says Prasanna Rao

I agree that we have missed him. However the selectors did their utmost to persuade Srinath to change his mind about opting out of Test cricket. Sourav Ganguly also tried his best to talk him out of it. As far as signing for Leicestershire goes, it was Srinath's decision and we were not informed about it.

If India keep losing time and again overseas with Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4, why don't we try him as an opener? It wouldn't do any harm just to try it. Tendulkar is a dynamic player, but we expect something dynamic from the selectors and the coach for a change, says Patrick D'Rozario

Sachin opened for a long time in one-day matches with Sourav Ganguly and they did an outstanding job, but he has almost always batted at No. 4 in Tests. Presently, people think he isn't doing very well, but only because he has always set such high standards for himself. They have come to expect the same each time he walks to the crease. But I think people have to understand that every cricketer in history, with the exception of Bradman, has gone through a lean patch. In any case, the captain and the coach decide the batting order and the selectors have no input there.

What memories do you have of your one Test as captain, at Adelaide in 1967-68? I remember you batting well in the first innings before getting out to the "mystery spinner", Johnny Gleeson. Looking at the scorecard there was someone called UN Kulkarni playing for India in that game. What kind of a player was he? asks David Sharpe from Adelaide

I remember that we had a very good chance in that Adelaide game under my captaincy. I had batted really well, along with Farokh Engineer, but after lunch, I was given out leg before to Gleeson. It came as a surprise to me and I was later told that Lindsay Hassett, who was giving his expert opinion on the radio at the time, also expressed surprise about the decision. In those days though, people could not see things for themselves as they can on TV now.

UN Kulkarni was a left-arm medium pacer who opened the bowling in that match. He was a promising bowler, who represented Bombay for several seasons in the Ranji Trophy.

India now has Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar and Tinu Yohannan as seam bowlers in Tests. Have you forgotten about Venkatesh Prasad and Debasis Mohanty? We need some variety. There is no great difference between Nehra and Zaheer, and Agarkar is very expensive. Why not go for one of those forgotten bowlers? We certainly need not just a senior bowler but also a guy who can contain, says Khushrav Patel

Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar and Tinu Yohannan performed very well in the domestic tournaments, which is why they were selected. By contrast, Debasis Mohanty and Venkatesh Prasad were well below their best. Both are good bowlers, but the selectors can only go by what they see in domestic cricket and in that regard, Mohanty and Prasad could not meet our expectations. Nehra and Zaheer have done really well since being given the chance.

I coach a national age-group team. We are preparing for an international tournament to be played soon. My problem is that some of the boys in the squad are going away with their school team three weeks before this tournament, for 10 days. Do you feel that I can still prepare my squad sufficiently, and if so how could I do it? asks Frank Marten

I suggest that when the boys return from their tour, they should be asked to work on their fitness. That can be followed by rigorous sessions of net practice, two hours in the morning and afternoon if possible. After a week, you can split them into two teams and play a match. Try to play a minimum of two such matches. Then you will have a fair idea about the reflexes, fitness and performance levels. With the bowlers, you can work on maintaining a good line and length. Once you select the best possible team, I'm sure you will do well.

Why has India never produced any genuine fast bowlers, when Pakistan - with six times fewer people to choose from - keeps coming up with them? Have the selectors looked at Amit Kumar Suman of Bihar? I read that he generates good pace and take wickets on our docile pitches, says Richard Tom from Dubai

The main reason for our not producing good fast bowlers is the state of pitches in India, which are slow and unsuitable for quick bowling. Now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is making a conscious effort to prepare faster wickets, even if that means digging up and relaying existing surfaces. That will surely help. Secondly, in the case of medium fast bowlers, they could learn much from the example shown by Kapil Dev. He always bowled an excellent line and length and if they do the same, our bowling problems could easily be solved.

Amit Kumar Suman is fast but he needs to bowl a good line and length. Let him learn to control his bowling better and perform well in domestic cricket. Once that happens, I'm sure the selectors will consider him.

Who was the best captain you played under (or against)? asks Gopal Swamy

The best captains I played under were Colonel Adhikari and Polly Umrigar. The pick of the opposition ones were Frank Worrell, Richie Benaud and Peter May, in that order.

Did you know a player called Ashok Gandotra? I see from the record books that he was born in Brazil, one of the few Indian players to be born outside the country. I wondered whether he was a Brazilian or whether his father was Indian and working there at the time? And what type of player was he? asks Philip Sanderson

Ashok Gandotra was a very fine left-handed player and he scored lots of runs in domestic cricket. He also played a couple of Tests against New Zealand. Presently, he is running a tea company in Kolkata. I'm afraid I'm not aware of his origin.

I wanted to ask you why you aren't playing Nayan Mongia in the Test team? asks Tasnu

It was a collective decision on the selection committee's part to groom other wicket keepers. What was discussed though is the prerogative of the committee and confidential – not something I can go into the details of.

As a young lad in Mumbai, I watched the great innings you played at the Brabourne Stadium in 1964 against Australia that won the Test for India. I was at the stadium with my uncle to see the winning shot you made. I also remember you as a great fielder, and I remember that sports writers nicknamed you "Panther" for your agility on the field. Who do you consider the best fielder among current players, and the players of your time (beside yourself, of course!)? asks Sunil Anoakar from Indianapolis

Thank you so much for your compliment, which I will certainly cherish. The best fielders in the game now are Jonty Rhodes, Ricky Ponting, Herschelle Gibbs and Nasser Hussain. From India, you have Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh. In my day, the best were Neil Harvey, Colin Bland, Gary Sobers and Clive Lloyd. India had Rusi Surti, DK Gaekwad, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Abid Ali.

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