Wasim Jaffer Slams Selectors for Overlooking Domestic Players in India’s West Indies Tour Squad
The recently announced Test and ODI squad for India’s upcoming tour of the West Indies has sparked controversy due to the exclusion of several standout domestic players. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has joined the chorus of critics, expressing his disappointment with the selectors’ decisions and raising concerns about the neglect of deserving candidates.
Neglecting Domestic Performers
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the squads for the two-match Test series and three-match ODI series against the West Indies. While the absence of experienced No.3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara surprised fans, it is the overlooking of impressive performers from the domestic circuit that has ignited a wave of criticism among cricket enthusiasts.
Wasim Jaffer, a respected cricket figure, has highlighted several questionable decisions made by the selectors for the upcoming West Indies tour, set to commence in July. One of his primary concerns revolves around the selection of four openers – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad – in the Test squad, which he believes compromises the opportunity to strengthen the middle order with deserving players like Sarfaraz Khan.
Jaffer’s strong statement emphasizes, “Why the need for four openers? Instead, Sarfaraz could have been included as an extra middle-order batsman, considering his consistent performances in domestic cricket. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Priyank Panchal have been knocking on the doors of Test cricket for a long time with their impressive performances in Ranji Trophy and India A matches. Is it a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ simply because they don’t play in the IPL? How did Ruturaj jump ahead in the queue?”
Questionable Decisions
The former cricketer further expresses his confusion over Ruturaj Gaikwad being preferred over Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has displayed remarkable consistency in his performances. Additionally, Jaffer questions the decision to rest senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the West Indies series, as there is a substantial month-long break between the World Test Championship (WTC) Final and the tour, negating the need for rest.
Wasim Jaffer’s critique of the selectors’ decisions regarding India’s West Indies tour squad adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the exclusion of deserving domestic players. The omission of promising talents and the emphasis on multiple openers over reinforcing the middle order have raised concerns among fans and cricket experts. As the tour approaches, all eyes will be on the selected players and how their performances validate or challenge the selectors’ choices.
