The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced criticism from former players after announcing the Test squad for the upcoming series against West Indies, scheduled to begin on July 12. The selection choices raised eyebrows, particularly the exclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his proficiency in red-ball cricket, following a lackluster performance in the World Test Championship final.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, on the other hand, received call-ups. However, as soon as the squad was unveiled, fans and former players voiced their dissatisfaction, accusing the selectors of prioritizing IPL performances over achievements in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic tournament.
Adding to the chorus of discontent, Abhinav Mukund, a former Test opener for India, echoed the sentiments of fans and criticized the selectors. Mukund, who represented the country in seven Test matches and last played in 2017, sarcastically questioned the value of domestic cricket when the IPL seemingly offers a faster route to national selection.
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“Unable to comprehend these selections—too many thoughts in my head to fit into a tweet. But what motivation does a young player have to take pride in representing his state anymore? The franchise system appears to be a quicker path to success,” tweeted Abhinav.
His remarks indirectly referred to the omission of Sarfaraz Khan, a 25-year-old batsman with an impressive domestic average of 80, who failed to secure a place in the team.
Sunil Gavaskar, a renowned former Indian cricketer, previously called for the discontinuation of the Ranji Trophy, citing the neglect of top performers like Sarfaraz. Aakash Chopra, another former player, also criticized the BCCI and its selectors for their decisions.
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The controversy surrounding the selection process highlights the discontent among former players and fans, who believe that changes are necessary in domestic cricket to ensure that deserving players are given opportunities at the international level.