Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has criticised the team management and selectors over its selection decisions ahead of the T20I series against New Zealand. He has questioned the need to include so many spinners in the squad, with the team preparing for a challenging tour.
Indian selectors picked Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel for New Zealand T20Is. Chakravarthy will make a comeback to the squad after recovering from an injury. Furthermore, Naman Dhir has done a decent job as an off-spinner.
New Zealand conditions are not known to be conducive for the spinners and thus Srikkanth expressed his surprise.
Srikkanth said either Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami should have been part of the squad.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Having three spinners is a luxury. In fact, with Naman Dhir, it’s 3.5 spinners because he’s playing more as a spinner. He’s a spinner who can bat at the moment in this Indian setup. So, instead of four spinners, India should have picked one more medium-pacer. Why do you need so many spinners in New Zealand conditions? Either Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami should have been there.”
“Shami needs to have a look in also, especially with the 50-over World Cup coming in South Africa. So many spinners will be a waste in New Zealand. With Axar Patel and Naman Dhir sure to play, only one of Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakaravarthy can play. You needed another reserve medium pacer.”
Shami has not been picked in any of the squads for the New Zealand tour despite consistent performances in the domestic circuit.
The 1983 World Cup-winning player said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should have received his chances in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies.
“It was unfair that he (Suryavanshi) didn’t play at all. He should have played at least two games against this West Indies attack. How you groom him is very important. Now they’ll play him straight in New Zealand, where the conditions won’t be as easy. If he had played in India against the West Indies, he would have smashed it and come into this series with such confidence. The team management and selectors are absolutely destroying him. He’s a sure all-format player,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
The first T20I between India and New Zealand will be played on Thursday.
