The selection of Team India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series, led by Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee, has sparked significant backlash. The exclusion of star batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has particularly angered fans and drawn criticism from cricket experts. Many questioned the rationale behind omitting two key southpaws, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fast approaching.
The criticism comes on the heels of a disappointing year for Team India in Test cricket. In 2024, India suffered a rare home whitewash against New Zealand in a three-Test series, breaking a remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak on home soil. Adding to the woes, the team lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with a humiliating 3-1 defeat against Australia on their turf. This downturn in form has left many fans and analysts questioning the selection strategies and long-term planning.
When asked about the selectors’ approach for the England series and their disregard for including Jaiswal and Pant, former India captain Kapil Dev refrained from outright criticism. Addressing the matter during an event hosted by the Professional Golf Tour of India, where he serves as president, Kapil said, “How can I comment on the judgment of others? I think the selectors would have thought about it. If I say something, it would be criticizing them, and I don’t want to do that. They are a group of people who must have planned and thought about that.”
In addition to selection debates, a comparison between Jasprit Bumrah and Kapil Dev surfaced following the series. Despite India’s defeat, Bumrah shone as the Player of the Series, claiming 32 wickets across five Tests while bowling over 150 overs, though his efforts were curtailed by back spasms during the fifth Test. Comparatively, Kapil bowled over 300 overs during the 1991/92 series. However, the legendary all-rounder dismissed the comparison, emphasizing the evolution of the game.
“Please don’t compare one generation with another. That is not required. Today, players are scoring 300 runs in a day. It didn’t happen during our time. So don’t compare the two,” Kapil Dev reiterated, urging fans to appreciate the distinct challenges faced by players of different eras.
