Former chairman of selectors Kiran More in an exclusive chat with espnstar.com slammed the Indian team selection for the Asia Cup.
By Rajarshi Gupta
The Indian selectors, not for the first time, managed to raise some eyebrows after announcing a 15-man squad for the Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka this month.
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who had wished to be rested to recuperate from an injury, got his way, while Yuvraj Singh found his name missing from the final list.
Though the chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikanth played down any omission, Kiran More lashed out at the current panel for dropping one of India’s middle order stay.
“I don’t understand why Yuvraj was dropped in the first place. That couldn’t have happened on cricketing grounds. In fact, I believe he should have gone to Zimbabwe, maybe even as a captain.
“Are the selectors even thinking of the 2011 World Cup? This selection goes beyond me.”
More said, he was not happy with the side despite the usual suspects- skipperMS Dhoni, deputy Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra returning to the fold. Jharkhand’s Saurabh Tiwary got a national call-up, a move the former India wicketkeeper said was surprising.
“I am not entirely satisfied with the team- this is not an ideal composition. Tiwary, for instance is a good player but where did he come from all of a sudden? He wasn’t even there for the tour to Zimbabwe and now he finds himself in line for the Asia Cup. He is the real surprise choice.
However, More reckoned that the batting order was ‘decent’ even without Tendulkar in the midst.
“I am not too worried about Sachin not playing in the Asia Cup as the rest of the batting looks decent to me.”
More was not pleased with the look of the bowling attack though, despite Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh making their way back.
“I was surprised with Ashok Dinda’s inclusion. He didn’t do well in Zimbabwe, did not get any four or five wicket hauls, and did nothing exceptional.
“I would have gone with Ishant Sharma and S Sreesanth instead. Umesh Yadav, Dinda and Pankaj Singh wouldn’t be in the scheme of things for the World Cup- but Ishant and Sreesanth would be.”
More said the selectors were panicking under pressure after disastrous performances in the ICC World Twenty20: “There are too many changes and choppings and this can’t be good for the team in the longer run. The selectors are trying too many things.”
Meanwhile, former India selector and left arm spinner Venkatpathy Raju, took a more guarded approach on his take on the Lanka bound team.
“This must have been the best. The selectors had to pick from given the injuries and fitness issues. Probably Yuvraj did have some fitness problems and the selectors had no choice but to drop him.”
Raju added that the youngsters did their chances no good with their performance in Zimbabwe and that tied selectors’ hands.
“They should have used the opportunity to impress the selectors but our young guns just failed to capitalise on a great chance.”
With the top shots back in the fray, it remains to be seen how India get back to their winning ways. By the look of things- it will take a lot more heart and character than just the big names.