Sourav Ganguly's [ Images ] hopes of an international comeback have been raised after a national selector said the sacked former captain is likely to be included in the provisional squad list for this year's ICC [ Images ] Champions Trophy [ Images ].

"Ganguly is good enough to make the 30 probables," said the selector, who declined to be identified, on Tuesday.

"If he does not, it will be a surprise.

"He is still among the top cricketers in the country."

Currently playing for Northamptonshire in England [ Images ], India's [ Images ] most successful Test skipper was sacked from the job and dropped from the one-day side last October, following a prolonged batting slump, fitness woes and a row with coach Greg Chappell [ Images ].

The 34-year-old was subsequently dropped from the Test side following a 1-0 series loss in Pakistan in January, with chief selector Kiran More saying his panel wanted to infuse young blood.

The selectors meet on August 9 to finalise the initial list for the Champions Trophy which runs from October 7 to November 5 in India.

Although he may find it tough to break into the side for the event, cricket officials feel Ganguly's experience could be used during a busy season that includes a proposed tri-series against Australia [ Images ] and West Indies [ Images ] ahead of the Champions Trophy.

One of only four players to aggregate over 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, Ganguly has maintained that he wants to play in next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.

When contacted, Indian board secretary Niranjan Shah said: "To find 30 men, maybe they [selectors] require Ganguly."

India next play in a one-day tri-series in Colombo involving hosts Sri Lanka [ Images ] and South Africa [ Images ] from August 14.