Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern about the preference given to players in the Indian team. He addressed that while some players have been given good opportunities, some have not got enough opportunities despite being good quality players.
After much delay, the Indian Men’s Selection Committee has revealed the ODI team for the series against New Zealand starting from January 11 in Vadodara. The team failed to fulfill its commitments, as Ruturaj Gaikwad was overlooked despite a brilliant century in his previous international appearance and continuing his form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Furthermore, players like Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, who were vying for the backup wicketkeeper’s spot in ODIs, were not welcomed on board and Rishabh Pant remained in the team as India’s second keeper. Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has his own version of complaints as well as clarification on India’s choice for the series.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s ultimatum to Indian selectors, “There should be no preferential treatment.”
The former Indian spinner feels that considering the amount of talent India has, it becomes impossible for the selectors to provide clarity to all the players about their status in the Indian team, which is understandable.
“It is very difficult to give clarity in Indian cricket. People will not agree with it. Take an example, if I tell Sanju that he is in the T20 team and we are not considering him for ODIs and Tests. Let’s say he then goes to the Vijay Hazare match and scores a double century.”
“I don’t like different players being treated differently. Every player’s self-esteem is no less than any other player,” he said in ‘Aish Ki Baat’.
However, Ravichandran Ashwin is hurt by the fact that some players are provided extra opportunities while others are not. The former spinner has admitted that this preferential treatment is unfair.
He said, “There should be no preferential treatment. But unfortunately, we live in a world where some players get extra chances. I would love to see Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad also get this treatment because they are fantastic players.”
Ravichandran Ashwin cited increasing insecurity among Indian players
Ravichandran Ashwin concluded that the Indian management should give a sense of stability to the players, as too much rotation and irregularities within the team can affect the morale of the players and also create a feeling of insecurity within them. Ashwin believes that if players are insecure about their positions, they will not be able to perform at their best on the field.
Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Whoever performs in the IPL moves forward. It is very difficult for the selectors. But if you want to win the tournament, as a management you have to give stability to the players. How you give it is completely up to you.”
He said, “I really think a player wants some stability, and they should pay attention to that. If you rotate that much, there will be insecurities in a player. That has to be considered. As long as the team is winning, it will all remain under the carpet. When they are not, it will all come up again.”
Indian selectors expressed displeasure after the announcement of ODI team for New Zealand series
India will be gearing up for the next two major ICC tournaments: the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. To bring out its best players from both the tournaments, India will have to decide on a team and play as many series as possible with them before the World Cup.
However, the Indian men’s selection committee, which was facing a lot of criticism after the announcement of the ODI team for the New Zealand series, has once again faced criticism. People have raised questions on the ignoring of Ruturaj Gaikwad and also found the selection of both Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal unfair.
Mohammed Siraj returns to the ODI team; However, veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami was once again overlooked for Bengal despite a stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Also read: Mohammed Shami’s coaches brutally attack Ajit Agarkar after New Zealand ODI defeat
