Chetan Sharma, the chairman of the All India National Selection Committee for BCCI, refused to send two more openers to the UK for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
Selection Committee Rejects Virat, Shastri Request
Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri received a lot of flak from fans and experts alike after they sent in an email requesting the selectors to send Prithvi Shaw and Davdutt Padikkal to England as backup openers.
The request has been rejected by the senior selection panel, led by former fast bowler Chetan Sharma, has turned down the management’s request and decided not to call Shaw and Padikkal, who are in Sri Lanka with the Shikhar Dhawan-led Indian team for a limited-overs series.
“Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the entire Test series in the UK with shin splints that will take minimum three months to heal. The team’s administrative manager, at the end of last month, had sent an e-mailed requisition to former pacer Sharma asking for two more openers to be sent to the UK.”
The report suggested that the selectors made the decision because they thought the team already has enough options in form of Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran to replace injured Shubman Gill
Mayank and KL Rahul are already part of the main Test squad, while Easwaran had traveled as a reserve opener and selectors have suggested that he should be drafted in the main squad if need be.
The majority of the fans praised the national selection panel, under chief selector Chetan Sharma, for making the right decision and rejecting team management’s request.
Kapil Dev Reacts
Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev, one of the most respected names in world cricket, had criticised Kohli and Shastri’s decision and described it as an insult to those players who were part of the squad since the beginning.
“I don’t think there is any need for it. There should be some respect for the selectors too. They have picked a team and I’m sure it wouldn’t have happened without their (Shastri and Kohli) consultation. I mean, you have two such big-opening batsmen in KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Do you really need a third option? I don’t think it’s right,” Kapil had said on an ABP News show.
Fans Reaction to the BCCI’s rejection
First time selectors has done right work..
— Shivam Mishra (@shiv0769) July 6, 2021
Though Easwaran’s selection is very bad, but as he is in squad & travelled with the team, he deserves the chance.
— Saransh (@Cricket_Saransh) July 6, 2021
Great decision…Finally selectors under chair of @chetans1987 is strng enough to deny request (or decn) of this management..who were runnng d team a per deir wish.. Without any logic & sense..
Very satisfying..
Haash 🙏— Weirdly_Gripping (@TanmaySingh08) July 6, 2021
First time selectors has done right work..
— Isarail Sama (@IsarailSama1) July 6, 2021
