The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The announcement has sparked widespread debate and criticism from former cricketers, analysts, and fans alike.
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Key Exclusions: Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad
Sanju Samson, who scored a century in his last ODI series, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been in excellent form, have both been excluded from the squads. The omission of these players has led to an outpouring of reactions from various quarters.
Reactions from Former Cricketers and Analysts
Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Member of Parliament, took to social media to express his discontent. He tweeted, “Interesting squad selection for India’s tour of Sri Lanka. Sanju Samson, who hit a century in his last ODI, has not been picked for ODIs, while Abhishek Sharma, who hit a T20I century, has not been picked at all. Rarely has success in India colors mattered so little.”
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra questioned the decision-making process behind the selections, highlighting the need for consistency and merit-based selection. He posted, “🚨 Introducing India’s New Squad for the White Ball Tour to Sri Lanka! 🚨 Is Shubman Gill the Next Big Thing? 🤔 Can SKY Lead Team India to Glory? 🇮🇳✨ Key Players to Watch Out For?”
Dodda Ganesh, another former cricketer, criticized the inclusion of Shivam Dube over Sanju Samson in the ODIs, terming it “ridiculous.” He tweeted, “Shivam Dube in place of Sanju Samson in the ODIs is ridiculous. Poor Sanju scored a century in his last series against SA. Why him always? My heart goes out to this young man.”
Support for Excluded Players
Harbhajan Singh also joined the chorus, expressing his confusion over the exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson. “Hard to understand why @yuzi_chahal @IamAbhiSharma4 @IamSanjuSamson are not part of the Indian Team for Sri Lanka,” he tweeted.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Outcry
Fans have also taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction. Many believe that the selections are influenced by factors other than performance, pointing out instances of “favoritism” and “politics.”
Official Statements and Future Prospects
The BCCI has not yet issued an official statement addressing the concerns raised. However, the selection committee’s decisions will be closely scrutinized in the upcoming matches. The performance of the selected players will be under the spotlight as India prepares for a crucial series against Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
The debate over the squad selection underscores the passionate following cricket enjoys in India. As the series approaches, all eyes will be on the team’s performance and whether the selected squad can deliver on the expectations of fans and critics alike.