Safe would be the best way to describe the 15-man Indian team announced for the ICC Champions Trophy this June.
- Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami return from injuries.
- Yuvraj Singh stays, so no place for Suresh Raina.
- Gautam Gambhir left out despite KL Rahul’s shoulder surgery.
- No score over 30 in NZ ODIs but Manish Pandey retained.
- No debut calls
With nothing major coming out of their one and a half hour long meeting, BCCI’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad had to face a few bouncers when he sat down to discuss the selection with the waiting media.
(Read: India’s Champions Trophy Team: Rohit Returns, No Place for Raina)
Why no more youngsters? Who all were discussed? Is Ashwin fit enough to play?
Answering each question, here’s what Prasad said:
With seniors like Gambhir, Raina and even Harbhajan waiting for one final recall in a big-ticket tournament, and youngsters like Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur knocking on the doors - who all were discussed in the selection meeting?
In a first, Prasad revealed the names of the players the panel contemplated on, and those who “narrowly missed”.
Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik. These are the names we discussed at length and they are in our standby team. We are working on a system where we will keep their visas also ready, and they will be trained at the NCA.MSK Prasad, Chairman of Selectors
Pant Not Picked
A handful of tons, along with a triple century in his first full Ranji Trophy season. Made captain of Delhi’s one-day side ahead of Gautam Gambhir. An India T20 debut against England and an impactful 92 for Delhi Daredevils in this IPL.
19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has done everything he possibly could to make the leap to the big leagues but there was no spot for him in the 15 named for England this summer.
Why? Because “team combination”.
We (selection panel) are completely impressed by the way Rishabh Pant is playing. It is just because of the combination of the team that he missed out. He is one cricketer who we are looking at for the future. He is definitely a solution for the future. So we are not very worried because he has a big future. We will groom him and we will also ensure he will be successful in his career.MSK Prasad, Chairman of Selectors
Clearly seen as MS Dhoni’s future replacement in the shorter format, Pant may need to give Parthiv a call to make peace with this one.
No Place for Chinaman?
Having taken an injured Virat Kohli’s spot in his debut Test, against Australia in March, Kuldeep Yadav has had a few gunning for his inclusion in the Champions Trophy side.
However, with two ace spinners already on duty, Prasad said Yadav was a tough choice to make.
Kuldeep would have been a surprise package but at the same time, we are not sure because we have two premium spinners in the team. Not sure if at the cost of them, he could be played. We also have Yuvraj and Kedar who can bowl in the team. That is the reason he very narrowly missed out on the spot.MSK Prasad, Chairman of Selectors
Spot for Samson?
IPL 10’s first centurion Sanju Samson, who’s since scored two more half centuries and Basil Thampi, a player known to have hit speeds of 140 plus in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy - both did not find mentions in the “stand by” list.
The reasoning though, was explained by the selection panel chief.
Sanju Samson and Basil Thampi did not make it to the stand-by list. We have seen their performances in the IPL. They are definitely good prospects but they require a good “A Tour”MSK Prasad, Chairman of Selectors
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