India vs Sri Lanka Test: Dilip Vengsarkar blasts selectors – Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar has slammed the All-India Selection Committee’s policy, following the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad from the Test squad. India named their squad for the three-Test series, with Rohit Sharma named captain in what will be India’s first red-ball series following Virat Kohli’s resignation. While the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were dropped, the squad saw no new call ups, much to the disappointment of Vengsarkar. Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs SL LIVE updates.
India vs Sri Lanka Test: Dilip Vengsarkar slams selectors for Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad omission
Former Indian captain and administrator Dilip Vengsarkar has blasted the Chetan Sharma led selection committee for ignoring both Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad for upcoming India vs Sri Lanka series. Both have been prolific in the domestic circuit, with Sarfaraz topping the run-scoring charts in Ranji Trophy, while Gaikwad having dominated in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Sarfaraz scored 952 runs in just six games and proceeded to slam a stunning 275 against Saurashtra in the Ranji opener at Ahmedabad on Friday, one day before the squad announcement.
Vengsarkar believes both Gaikwad and Sarfaraz were robbed of a place in the side, especially with Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara omitted. The former Indian batsman further stated that the duo were more deserving than some of the players in the side.
Vengsarkar told the Times of India, “It seems there isn’t application of mind (by the selectors) when the team is selected. How can one explain the omission of Ruturaj and Sarfaraz, who are two of the most prolific scorers in domestic circuit. Looking at the team, a couple of players, though talented, haven’t done much to merit their place in the squad. Let every player earn his place in the team and not take it for granted. Ruturaj and Sarfaraz deserve a place. The selectors are damaging their morale by not selecting them for India.”
India squad for Test series: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat, R Ashwin (subject to fitness), R Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Mohd Shami, Mohd Siraj, Umesh Yadav & Saurabh Kumar.
