'Why is this player included in team for ODI series against New Zealand?'; former cricketers lash out at selection committee

MUMBAI: The BCCI selection committee has been facing severe criticism following the announcement of the Indian team for the ODI series against New Zealand. Many players who were considered deserving have missed out on the squad. Former cricketers S Badrinath and S Ramesh have now come forward with sharp criticism of the selection committee. The former players questioned the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the squad while in-form batter Ruturaj Gaikwad was left out. Badrinath shared his views through an Instagram video.

“I don’t understand why Nitish Kumar Reddy was selected when all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are already in the team. They say Nitish is an all-rounder, but he has been struggling with the ball in almost every match. Leaving out Ruturaj Gaikwad, who consistently scores runs whenever given a chance, is unacceptable. There is a clear lack of stability in the selection process,” Badrinath said.

Former Indian opener Sadagoppan Ramesh echoed similar views. He said there is no need for a fifth pacer in a home series. He also recalled Gaikwad’s performance against South Africa in Raipur, where he scored 105 runs off 83 balls while batting at number four. Ramesh pointed out that Gaikwad is also in good form in domestic cricket and said that he should be part of the team regardless of whether Shreyas Iyer proves his fitness or not.

Nitish Kumar Reddy was included in the squad in the absence of Hardik Pandya. However, in the two ODIs he has played so far, he has scored only 27 runs and has not taken a single wicket. Questions are also being raised about how many opportunities Nitish will get in a team that already has four main pacers.