Arani Basu, New Delhi
The selection of the Indian team for the tour of Australia was Sunil Joshi’s first major task as chief selector. However, there are many controversies regarding this. Due to the disappearance of some names from the team, many questions are being raised about the selection process and injury management. Former captain Sunil Gavaskar also talked about maintaining more ‘transparency’ on fitness matters.
Confusion over Rohit Sharma and Vice Captain
Selectors have said that the BCCI medical team will monitor the progress of Rohit Sharma. However, the panel went ahead and announced Lokesh Rahul as vice-captain of T20 and ODI series. According to information given to our associate newspaper Times of India, the selectors were told by Team India physio Nitin Patel that Rohit is not available for selection. However, he did not provide further details about the injury. Significantly, Rohit returned from the New Zealand tour this year due to hamstring injury.
The selection of the Indian team for the tour of Australia was Sunil Joshi’s first major task as chief selector. However, there are many controversies regarding this. Due to the disappearance of some names from the team, many questions are being raised about the selection process and injury management. Former captain Sunil Gavaskar also talked about maintaining more ‘transparency’ on fitness matters.
Confusion over Rohit Sharma and Vice Captain
Selectors have said that the BCCI medical team will monitor the progress of Rohit Sharma. However, the panel went ahead and announced Lokesh Rahul as vice-captain of T20 and ODI series. According to information given to our associate newspaper Times of India, the selectors were told by Team India physio Nitin Patel that Rohit is not available for selection. However, he did not provide further details about the injury. Significantly, Rohit returned from the New Zealand tour this year due to hamstring injury.
It has been reported that this opener can be seen fit and playing in the IPL for Mumbai Indians again. If he is fit to play IPL, then it means that he is available for the tour of Australia, then why was Lokesh Rahul declared vice-captain?
A close source said, “We will have to wait a bit.” Hopefully his injury does not increase. Only then will the selectors take a decision.
Just minutes after the team was announced, Mumbai Indians released a video of Rohit Sharma practicing in the nets. After this, former captain Sunil Gavaskar targeted the selectors. Gavaskar said, “If he is practicing in the nets of Mumbai Indians, I really don’t know what kind of injury he has. I think more transparency should be exercised on the problem. ‘
Question regarding Bhubaneshwar
Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar spent a lot of time in the year 2019 in Rehab. He was also injured in this IPL by playing just five matches. He had a thigh injury. There is not much information about his injury. Sources told our colleague Times of Indio that Bhubaneswar did not benefit from the treatment he received at a private hospital in Mumbai. However the BCCI was hoping that Bhuvi would benefit from it.
Ishant Sharma
The BCCI media release said that the injury of paceer Ishant Sharma is also being monitored. This suggests that the 32-year-old fast bowler had gone to New Zealand to play the Test series following an ankle injury and was injured again after just one match. After suffering an IPL injury, he decided to undergo treatment with former team India physio Patrick Farhat until he was asked to attend the National Cricket Academy. Ishant is a contracted cricketer of the BCCI and was supposed to go to NCA as per rules.
Pant also has fitness problems
It is also reported that the selectors feel that there are questions on the form and fitness of wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant. The source said, ‘Pant is still included in the selectors’ plans. It has now come to fitness more than performance. Hence, he is part of the Test team. He has lost a few kilos during the IPL.
No room for Surya Kumar in middle-order
Surya Kumar Yadav has consistently performed well in IPL and domestic cricket. Sources however say, ‘Suryakumar Yadav did not get a place because Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya have proved to be match-winners. He is seen as a backup finisher. If Pandya or Pandey struggle for form, then their name will be considered.
Akshar Patel once again out
Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel has performed well both with the ball and bat this season. Despite this, the selector has selected mystery spinner Varun Chakraborty in the T20 squad. It seems that Patel was not picked because Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are already in the team. Chakraborty was included in the team due to variety.
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