Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee's decision to name a near full-strength squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan has come under scrutiny, with former India captain Kris Srikkanth questioning the selection approach. The three-match series is scheduled to be played in Delhi from September 13 to 17, with Shreyas Iyer continuing as captain and Tilak Varma as his deputy.
The selection comes after India endured difficult T20I tours of Ireland and England, while a second-string side produced a clean sweep against Zimbabwe in July. Kris Srikkanth believes the Afghanistan series presented a better opportunity to give more youngsters international exposure instead of relying on established names, particularly with several selected players still awaiting fitness clearance.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has picked a 15-member squad for the three T20Is, with several notable players returning to the setup. Sanju Samson, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh are back after missing the Zimbabwe series, while Varun Chakaravarthy has also returned after recovering from his hamstring injury. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has retained his place following his recent appearances for India.
Jasprit Bumrah is the biggest name among the returning players, but his participation is not confirmed yet. Bumrah, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana, has been selected subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. The four players are also undergoing match simulations as part of their assessment before the series.
Hardik Pandya remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from injury. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan series will also serve as part of India's preparation for the Asian Games, with the same core group selected for the continental event.
You've picked a full-strength squad out of fear - Kris Srikkanth slams Ajit Agarkar
Kris Srikkanth believes the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection panel has reacted to India's recent T20I setbacks by opting for a stronger squad than necessary against Afghanistan. He feels the series could have been used to test players on the fringes of the team rather than immediately bringing back several senior options.
"After the series losses in Ireland and England, the selectors have decided not to take a chance and picked a full-strength squad for Afghanistan. They are going all guns blazing, but this is a mistake. It's against teams like Afghanistan that you should try out youngsters. Instead, you've picked a full-strength squad out of fear," Kris Srikkanth said on his official YouTube channel while slamming Ajit Agarkar.
"It feels like a desperation move after the Ireland and England losses. But this squad is almost the same as the one they picked for England."
Harshit Rana has proved to be a very good bowler in T20s - Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth also raised questions about the decision to select four players whose availability remains dependent on fitness clearance. Bumrah, Rana, Nitish and Washington were all recovering from different injuries when the squad was announced.
"These four have not proved match-fitness. So on what basis are they subject to fitness? Just because you prove your fitness at the Bengaluru CoE, are you fit? That's how Harshit Rana went to England, and then what happened to him there? So match-fitness is important," said Srikkanth.
"This is not a question of ability. Harshit Rana has proved to be a very good bowler in T20s, and Nitish Kumar Reddy is brilliant in the short format. But why pick them without match-fitness being proven is the question."
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