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Gautam Gambhir exposes India’s selection policy after Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan absence grabs headlines
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has finally spoken about the selection policy in the Indian team. Gambhir reiterated his stance by stating that the team does not believe in dropping any player but concentrates on selecting a player.
Recently, questions had arisen regarding India’s selection in the Playing XI for the Bangladesh Tests when players like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, who performed exceptionally well in their debut series against England, were dropped.
Instead, the first-choice players who missed the England series like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, were given their places back. But Gambhir is firm on his principles and has a specific plan for selection.
Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on India’s selection policy
While speaking to Jio Cinema, Gautam Gambhir spoke about India’s selection and feels that only 11 players can be selected in a Playing XI. He also repeated that the team does not believe in dropping a player and instead focuses on selecting a player.
“It will always be a challenge because there is so much (in Indian cricket) and ultimately, you can only select XI. But if you can select an XI, it can do the job for you (that’s all that matters). And I have been a firm believer that we don’t drop anyone. We select anyone. So there’s a way of looking at things,” Gambhir said.
The India head coach also spoke about the drop of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel from the Playing XI for the Bangladesh Tests. He reckoned that the players will have to wait for their opportunities and it’s all about selecting the best possible Playing XI.
“A lot of people from outside might think that he’s been dropped, but it’s not about dropping someone. It’s about selecting someone else to do the job for the team. If the other person can do the job for the team, then people will have to wait for their opportunities. That’s how cricket goes,” Gautam Gambhir said.
Senior players back after missing England Tests
India tried a variety of players during the Test series against England where a no. of senior players were absent due to various reasons. However, India have returned with a full-strength side for the Test series against Bangladesh which means the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are back in the side.
Out of these players, only Rishabh Pant has been able to make a significant mark so far with his blistering hundred in the second innings of the Chennai Test. Virat Kohli registered low scores across both innings while KL Rahul got out cheaply in the first innings and did not get much chance to bat in the second innings.
Gautam Gambhir ensured clear communication with his players regarding the team selection. He reckons that the coach, captain, and the chairman of selectors need to be thinking in the same direction to make it work.
“I know how vulnerable a sportsman can be” – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is aware of the insecurities of a player and has experienced such situations along with Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar during their playing days.
“One thing I can assure you is that there will be very clear and straightforward communication. I think the coach, the captain, and the chairman of selectors should be on the same page rather than having different communications from different people. That is not how we plan to work,” Gautam Gambhir stated.
“I know how vulnerable a sportsman can be. You literally live on the edge if you don’t get paid or if you get dropped… I know how tough it is for a player. I have experienced it, Rohit has experienced it, and the chairman of selectors must have experienced it. So, when you have experienced such things, you try and help the guy by giving him the right message and that is what’s gonna happen this time,” Gautam Gambhir added.
While Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel did not get a chance in the Test series against Bangladesh, both the youngsters remain firmly in India’s plans for the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.
After the Test series against Bangladesh, India will play a three-match Test series against New Zealand at home and then travel to Australia for a five-match Test series.
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