Why India's ODI Squad Overlooked Domestic Cricket Stars
As India prepares to face New Zealand in a white-ball series, the focus is on the strong squad announced by the BCCI. However, the performances of several domestic players in the Vijay Hazare Trophy have raised questions about why they were overlooked.
Overlooked All-Rounders
Axar Patel and Sarfaraz Khan, both all-rounders, were impressive in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Axar Patel, playing for Gujarat, scored a century and took two wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award. Sarfaraz Khan, on the other hand, scored a century for Mumbai, but was overlooked for his ODI comeback.
Snubbed Pace Bowlers
Mohammed Shami, a senior Indian pacer, was expected to return to the national team, but was left out. Shami, representing Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has taken 11 wickets in five games. Meanwhile, the selectors chose Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna for the New Zealand series.
Unnoticed Batsmen
Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sanju Samson were among the batsmen who performed well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but were overlooked for the ODI series. Gaikwad, the captain of Maharashtra, scored a century and a half-century, while Samson hit a century for Kerala. Despite their impressive performances, they were not included in the squad.
North East Connection and Broader Indian Context
The North East region has been producing talented cricketers, and it is disappointing that some of these players have been overlooked. The exclusion of these players raises questions about the selection process and the importance given to domestic cricket. The North East cricketers, along with other overlooked players, deserve a chance to represent India at the international level.
Looking Ahead
The ODI series against New Zealand is a crucial assignment for India, and it is important to have a strong squad. The overlooked players have the potential to contribute significantly to the team, and it is hoped that they will get their chance in the future.