Team India is the No.1 ranked Test team in the world currently. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, India have lost just one Test at their home. During this time they have won against all the teams. On the overseas games, there have been disappointments. Under Kohli, India have registered Test series wins in Sri Lanka [2-1 in 2015 & 3-0 in 2017], West Indies [2-0 in 2017 & 2-0 in 2019] and Australia [2-1 in 2018-19]. Despite their form, they have always faced criticisms. Former Indian opener, Sunil Gavaskar isn’t pleased with the selection procedure and he lashed out at the selectors.

Gavaskar gave the example of Ravichandran Ashwin saying that the off-spinner should be a part of the Playing XI irrespective of the situation. The off-spinner, who is making a comeback in the ongoing home series against South Africa, was out of the squad in the recently concluded series in the Caribbean where Kohli chose Jadeja ahead of him.

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“You don’t become ICC’s No. 1 Test bowler for nothing. He has the ability to pick wickets anywhere in the world. The team management has to understand this and back Ravichandran Ashwin,” Sunil Gavaskar told the official broadcasters during the 1st Test in Vizag.

“I remember last year in South Africa Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up a lot of wickets in the first Test, he really swung the ball but he was dropped for the next Test. Murali Vijay too I believe should have been given a longer run. The selection has to be in such a way that the confidence of the player is not down. I mean there may be communication inside the dressing room which we are certainly not aware,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar felt Murli Vijay should have been given another chance and that the selection has to be in such a way that the players’ confidence does not hamper.