The BCCI announced a 16-man squad on Saturday for the Test and ODI series against the West Indies in the Caribbean. This selection has drawn criticism from experts, particularly regarding the inclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad and the baffling decision to once again ignore the high-performing Sarfaraz Khan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced the 16-member squad for both the Test series and ODI series to be played against West Indies in the Caribbean Island. The inclusion of some players like Ruturaj Gaikwad has raised more questions with many cricketing experts criticizing the logic behind the selection. The most important of them prevail to be the continuous ignorance of in-form batter Sarfaraz Khan.
Wasim Jaffer has voiced his strong disapproval of the BCCI's choice to include Gaikwad in the two-match Test series. The former opener expressed outrage over Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion, noting that despite having a First-Class record that rivals Don Bradman's in terms of average (for those with 2,000+ runs), Sarfaraz continues to be ignored by the selection committee.
Jaffer questioned why the team needed four different openers, arguing that the spot would have been better used by adding Sarfaraz as a middle-order batter to recognize his domestic success. He also mentioned that players like Easwaran and Panchal have put in the hard work in the Ranji Trophy and with India A for years. Jaffer suggested that since they aren't in the IPL, they've been forgotten, and he questioned how Gaikwad was able to jump ahead of them in the pecking order.
Jaffer also expressed his confusion over Mohammed Shami being rested, especially after already having a month off, noting that Shami usually finds his rhythm the more he bowls. India is scheduled to start their Caribbean tour with the two-match series on July 12.