In a surprising turn of events, the Indian T20 team overlooked the inclusion of seven star cricketers from the IPL. The selectors chose to include Jaiswal and Rahane, who performed exceptionally well in the IPL, in the Indian Test team.
Seven star cricketers who excelled in the IPL T20 format have not been given a chance to represent India in the upcoming five-match T20I series during the West Indies tour. The Indian T20 team has given a big shock to the cricket fans.
The recent team selection, announced after the appointment of former all-rounder Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector, has faced scrutiny.
The selectors disregarded not only the remarkable performance of Rinku Singh, who caused quite a stir in the IPL season, but also the talents of Rituraj Gaekwad, Mohit Sharma, Varun Chakraborty, Shivam Dubey, Nitish Rana, and Jitesh Sharma.
To pave the way for the new generation, senior players like Rohit and Kohli got a place in Indian T20 team. But this time the Indian team is being led by Hardik Pandya. However, the absence of IPL performers in the squad raised eyebrows among fans.
In particular, the inclusion of Tilak Verma, while ignoring the consistent performances of aggressive batsmen like Gaekwad and Rinku Singh, drew the ire of some passionate supporters, who expressed their disappointment on social media.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the bowling prowess of Mohit Sharma and Varun Chakraborty:
Mohit Sharma, who joined the Gujarat Titans after replacing Yash Dayal, performed exceptionally well. Having been sidelined from Indian cricket for a while, Mohit made a significant impact on Gujarat’s journey to the final. In the crucial last over of the final match, Hardik entrusted Mohit, recognizing his exceptional form. He scalped 37 wickets in 14 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 13.37.
On the other hand, Kolkata’s Varun Chakraborty, previously known for his deceptive spin, took 20 wickets in 14 matches, averaging at 21.45. Although these star cricketers have performed well in the IPL, they have not found a place in the Indian T20 team.
Now, let’s shift our focus to the remarkable records of Rinku Singh and Rituraj Gaekwad:
Rinku Singh, representing the Kolkata Knight Riders, set the cricketing world ablaze by smashing five consecutive sixes off the bowling of Gujarat Titans’ Yash Dayal. He accumulated 474 runs in 14 IPL matches, boasting an impressive average of 59.25 and a striking strike rate of 149.52.
Meanwhile, Gaekwad continued his consistent form from the past few years, amassing 5902 runs at an average of 147.50 in 15 innings across 16 matches. Despite Rituraj’s previous appearances in 9 T20 internationals, the decision to grant him further opportunities remained uncertain.
Let’s not forget the contenders: Shivam, Jitesh, and Nitish:
Shivam Dubey, a star batsman for the Chennai Super Kings, caught everyone’s attention with his remarkable performance in making Chennai the champions. He amassed 418 runs in 16 IPL T20s, boasting an impressive average of 49.77 and a staggering strike rate of 158.33.
Additionally, he has already played 13 T20 internationals. Jitesh Sharma, representing Punjab, contributed significantly with his bat, scoring 309 runs in 14 IPL T20s this season, maintaining a strike rate of 156.06. Furthermore, Jitesh can be considered as an alternative wicketkeeping option for India.
Nitish Rana, the captain of Kolkata, showcased his skills by accumulating 413 runs at a strike rate of 140.45.
In conclusion, the omission of these talented IPL performers from the Indian T20 team has sparked intrigue and debate among cricket enthusiasts. Their exclusion raises questions about the selection process and the opportunities provided to deserving players.
Why were IPL stars overlooked in the Indian T20 team selection?
The selectors decided to include Jaiswal and Rahane in the Test team, choosing to prioritize their performances in the longer format. The absence of IPL stars in the Indian T20 team has raised questions about the selection process and the opportunities provided to deserving players.
Who led the Indian T20 team in the absence of senior players?
Hardik Pandya took charge of the Indian T20 team, leading the side in the absence of senior players such as Rohit and Kohli.
What was the rationale behind selecting Tilak Verma over other aggressive batsmen?
The inclusion of Tilak Verma, while overlooking the consistent performances of aggressive batsmen like Gaekwad and Rinku Singh, has sparked controversy. The selectors might have considered Verma’s recent form and potential as a factor in their decision.
What were the bowling performances of Mohit Sharma and Varun Chakraborty in the IPL?
Mohit Sharma scalped 37 wickets in 14 matches for the Gujarat Titans with an impressive average of 13.37. Varun Chakraborty, playing for Kolkata, took 20 wickets in 14 matches, averaging at 21.45.
How did Rinku Singh and Rituraj Gaekwad perform in the IPL?
Rinku Singh accumulated 474 runs in 14 IPL matches with an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52. Rituraj Gaekwad amassed 5902 runs at an average of 147.50 in 15 innings across 16 matches.
Who were the other notable IPL performers overlooked in the team selection?
Other notable IPL performers overlooked in the team selection include Shivam Dubey, Jitesh Sharma, and Nitish Rana, who showcased their batting prowess during the tournament.
