Rahul Dravid’s policy of experimentation has come under severe criticism with the World Cup 2023 on the horizon. With the aim of creating bench strength, Dravid has often tinkered with plans, including during the IND vs WI series. The approach has left the Indian cricket team without a set combination two months before the tournament.
Speaking to Times of India, former India selector Sunil Joshi said that the selectors failed to utilise the India vs West Indies series. Rahul Dravid rested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2nd ODI to give fringe players a chance. Joshi argued if it was all about game time, then Kohli & Rohit could have not made the trip altogether. He further suggested playing West Indies, a team that won’t feature in the World Cup, made the series completely irrelevant.
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“Firstly, if you wanted to play a comparatively younger team in this ODI series, then Rohit and Virat should not have been picked for it. Secondly, the West Indies have not even qualified for the World Cup. So it doesn’t matter if Rohit and Virat play in this series or not. This series is irrelevant. So, the selectors should have thought about sending a young team to see how the players cope with the pressure of international cricket. This was the perfect time to identify a young captain too,” he said.
With an injury crisis in the Indian team, Rohit Dravid are looking at all possible options. Rishabh Pant is ruled out, while KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are still to return from injury. Ishan Kishan, who is considered a reserve keeper has opened the batting. In case Rahul misses out, he will have to bat in the middle order.
Joshi further made a case for Shikhar Dhawan who remains out of contention. The former India selector said Dhawan’s record in ICC tournaments was not to be ignored. He further argued that the veteran left-hander could have played the IND vs WI ODIs to keep himself fit and ready.
“Just look at Shikhar Dhawan’s numbers in white-ball cricket. He’ll always be an asset in the ODI format, especially in India. His experience and fabulous record in the ICC tournaments shouldn’t be ignored. During my tenure with the national selection committee, we would always back Dhawan as a backup opener in white-ball cricket, and this why we asked him to lead the Indian team in 2021 in Sri Lanka too,” Joshi added.
India play West Indies in the 3rd ODI at Trinidad on Tuesday.
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