CRICKET
IND vs AFG- Shortsighted team selection that reeks of desperation without fore-planning
Team India’s selection for the T20I series against Afghanistan should not be celebrated. There should be questions asked about some of the moves made. There is no doubt that the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is a huge bonus. Fans were crying out for the duo to return after the ODI World Cup 2023 feats with the bat.
Here is where the question arises? What about the future? It seems the Indian selectors too don’t have proper answers. Some talented young players are being ignored despite good performances.
Some players who have played for India in the recent past seem to have made it to the forgotten list. Afghanistan by no means are pushover, they are for a fact one of the best sides in this format.
Reality Check needed for Indian selectors –
Team India had announced its team for the three Match T20I series versus Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to get back in the Indian Cricket team ahead of the World Cup.
The question arises over the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Umran Malik. Two players who have given enough good performances in recent times yet they were ignored. Fast bowler Umran Malik offers something to Indian and World Cricket.
The 24-year-old has pace and above all the ability to bowl at good line and length. The last time the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir played was early last year. Since then Umran hasn’t figured in the scheme of things.
Undoubtedly, he has issues as far as his economy is concerned, but that is offset by his ability to scare the batters. A good example will be his battle against Shakib Al Hasan during the 2nd ODI in 2022.
Shakib Al Hasan is a class batter with the ability to play amazing innings. A couple of bouncers on his body seemed to unsettle Shakib and the next ball his off-stump was sent flying.
Yuzvendra Chahal is another player who has been at the receiving end of some curious selection. After being snubbed for the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign, Chahal had put in the shift in domestic cricket. The 33-year-old picked a 6-wicket haul in his first List A game recently.
This performance got him a place in the Indian squad for the ODI series in South Africa. He might have as well not made the trip as Chahal was mostly on the bench. Not even picked as the 12th man but benched throughout the tour.
Rajat Patidar will also consider himself unlucky after giving a good account of himself on his ODI debut. The 30-year-old played some delightful shots to leave the seasoned cricket experts amazed.
As we embark on yet another title hunt, there are questions the selectors must answer. Why does a country with so much talent and potential fail to win a title? Why do young and deserving players miss out after being tried for just a few games? One must guess the answers will be there for everyone to see at the end of June.