In a dead rubber situation, India was up against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to field and when asked about the playing eleven, his words were ‘“ ‘˜unchanged team’.
In a dead rubber situation, India was up against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to field and when asked about the playing eleven, his words were – ‘unchanged team’. His statement on the field did not go down well with former India great Sunil Gavaskar. He vehemently attacked the Indian management in his pre-match interview with a Sports channel.
He said, “It is baffling that Ishwar Pandey and Pujara are not given chances. Are they worried that if they do well then their favourite batsman or bowler will not be able to get their place back in team? This is really ridiculous. Some of the players have been playing non-stop, they need a bit of a break before the World T20 starts; the second thing is if you are not going to give the reserve players a chance, then when are they going to play,” Gavaskar asked. “This is what breeds complacency, guys know, kuch bhi karoon, team main hoon (whatever I do, I’m in the team),” the former skipper concluded.
Just as Indian fans were pondering changes in the Indian ODI team in the final game in the Asia Cup, which has been disastrous to say the least, this shocker of going with an unchanged team really questions the Indian think tank.
If the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishwar Pandey were picked ahead of Yuvraj Singh and Ishant Sharma in the ODI side, why were they not given any gametime? Why it took Team India so late to get in Amit Mishra who was sort of a tourist in the recent tours to South Africa and New Zealand? Is this the notion of the Indian team that is bidding to retain its numero uno status in ODIs? Well its absurd.
Yes, India will win easy against Afghanistan and then, all will be forgotten so easily. Sunil Gavaskar points out ‘favouristm’ that has plagued the Indian staff and selectors. Take a look at the other nations viz. South Africa, Australia, England etc. Their country boards held no holds barred in the case of selections were concerned. Jacques Kallis, Shane Watson to name a few were either dropped or not selected to represent their team just because they were not amongst the runs.
Even if India end the Asia Cup on a high (win over Afghanistan), they still should hold the heads in shame and accept their on and off-field problems. This is not the first time that players in the squad were not selected, may be Amit Mishra and Varun Aaron can sympathise with Pujara and Pandey.
Good luck to the Indian team if they are to retain the next year’s World Cup in such shabby conditions.
Here are some angry Indian fans venting their anger about India’s selection policy:
Pujara was taken for antakshari or what? #IndvsAfg
— shashreek roy (@shashreek) March 5, 2014
The two players who showed up for ‘optional practise’ day before Indo Pak match were Aaron and Pujara,both of whom didnt play in match !
— sonia singh (@soniandtv) March 3, 2014
Gutted that Ishwar Pandey hasn’t been given the chance to play for India. He goes on all of the tours as a benchwarmer 😩ðŸ˜
— B A V (@BAVadodo) March 5, 2014
Is Kohli captaining with Dhoni’s selection brains? Awaiting to hear the reason for not giving Pujara & Ishwar Pandey a game! #IndvsAFG
— Aditya Ambekar (@ambekaraditya) March 5, 2014
