The recently announced Indian Test and ODI squad for the West Indies tour has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows among fans and experts. Notably, the exclusion of some promising domestic performers has garnered criticism, with former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer being the latest to express his concerns.
The tour will consist of a two-match Test series followed by a three-match ODI series, and while the absence of veteran middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara surprised many, it is the neglect of other deserving players that has caused frustration.
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Jaffer questioned the decision to include four openers, namely Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, in the Test squad instead of reinforcing the middle order by selecting Sarfaraz Khan. He argued that the inclusion of Sarfaraz, who has displayed consistent performances in domestic cricket, would have been a fitting recognition of his talent.
Additionally, Jaffer raised concerns about the treatment of players like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Priyank Panchal, who have been knocking on the doors of Test selection with their consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy and India A matches. He questioned whether their absence from the IPL had led to them being overlooked and emphasized the need for a fair and inclusive selection process.
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Furthermore, Wasim Jaffer expressed his surprise at the decision to rest senior pacer Mohammed Shami for the upcoming series. With a month-long break between the World Test Championship Final and the West Indies tour, Jaffer believed there was no justification for Shami’s absence. His sentiment was shared by many who felt that Shami’s experience and skill could have contributed significantly to the team’s success in the challenging conditions of the Caribbean.
Thoughts? #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/2YwaMuOwvN
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 24, 2023
The selection decisions made by the Indian cricket board have ignited debates and raised questions about the criteria and transparency of the selection process. Fans and experts alike eagerly await the team’s performance in the West Indies and hope that deserving players are given fair opportunities to showcase their talents and contribute to the team’s success.
