Suryakumar Yadav’s selection over Sarfaraz Khan in the India squads for the New Zealand limited-overs series and the first two Tests against Australia was the biggest surprise.
The BCCI announced the teams on Friday for the upcoming T20I, and ODI. First two Tests of the four-match series against Australia and New Zealand.
There were some well-known names and big surprises, like Prithvi Shaw’s return to the Indian team, who will be back in 537 days. He has been included in the team for the Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand.
In the meantime, the BCCI has called up Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan for their first Test appearances.
In the home series against England, Surya was selected as a replacement for the Test team, but this was his first appearance in the starting lineup.
Fans were shocked by the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan, who was not included in the squad for the two Tests against Australia in Delhi (February 17-21) and Nagpur (February 9-13).
In five games for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, the 25-year-old has scored 431 runs, including two tons and a century.
The batter scored 982 runs in six games last season, averaging 122.75 runs per game. Additionally, he struck four centuries. Given his performance, many fans thought he belonged in place of Suryakumar or Kishan.
Given Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate road accident. Which has likely left him sidelined for approximately six months, Kishan’s selection as KS Bharat’s backup goalkeeper is understandable.
However, the decision to select Suryakumar over Sarfaraz is bound to raise a lot of questions. Especially given that the Indian team management. Which includes captain Rohit Sharma, who has made it public that they won’t mix formats when picking teams.
It is disrespectful to the Ranji Trophy to select Sarfaraz Khan over Suryakumar Yadav in Tests. That guy deserved that call-up more than anyone else because he has been one of the most consistent run-getters in First Class cricket.
Yet again, baffling selection by this committee,” came a response. “With Ishan Kishan and SKY on the team, it’s safe to say that public opinion and Ranji’s performances have started to have more weight.
Another person wrote, “Ishan is still comprehensible. But Sky selection is baffling and won’t send a good signal to guys like Sarfaraz and Hanuma.”
“Very hard on Sarfaraz Khan who has literally broken the door down in first-class cricket.” Harsha Bhogle, a well-known cricket broadcaster, stated. He has done more than you can.”
“Sarfaraz Khan must be shaken to the core! When will he be recognized for his work? It’s really hard to accept a player who consistently scores a lot but isn’t selected while almost everyone else does!”
KL Rahul will serve as Rohit’s deputy captain for the Test team. Veteran players like Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli make up the side. In the meantime, the pace battery will be led by Mohammed Shami.
Rohit Sharma is in charge, along with KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, C Pujara, V Kohli, S Iyer, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohd. Mohammad Shami Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav, Siraj, and Umesh Yadav