Indian national cricket team captain Shreyas Iyer is facing heavy criticism after losing the T20 series in Ireland and the series in England. Amidst the criticism, S Badrinath has not only criticized Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy but has also questioned one of his selection decisions.
A former Indian batsman has questioned the selection of young all-rounder Suryansh Shedge in the T20 team. He said that the captain had an important role in bringing the youth into the team. Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik highlighted Shreyas Iyer’s tactical lapses after England’s elimination.
S Badrinath criticized Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy; Suryansh raises questions on Shedge’s selection
S Badrinath accused Shreyas Iyer of bias as he criticized the selection of Suryansh Shedge. He believed that if the captain has an important role in the selection of players then he should also accept the responsibility when the players fail to perform and the team does not get results.
Shedge plays domestic cricket for Mumbai and represents Punjab Kings in the IPL, and that is why he was selected for the Ireland and England tours, as claimed by Badrinath. Interestingly, this young player got every opportunity in England and Ireland.
He scored only eight runs and did not take a single wicket in both the matches, and even he gave away runs at an economy rate of around 13. The former batsman also criticized Iyer’s captaincy as India lost the first two-match T20I series to Ireland and then suffered a 4-0 defeat against England in the five-match T20I series.
The first T20I in England was lost, with Iyer losing six consecutive matches as captain. Subramaniam Badrinath said on his YouTube channel, “It looks like the selection of Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas has a clear role in the selection, this is proof of that. So, he has to take responsibility for the results, even though he is new to captaincy. He has been very poor as a captain. The selection of Suryansh Shedge makes you question Shreyas.”
S Badrinath rejected claims of fatigue, said- players should take responsibility
S Badrinath also rejected the idea that players were tired because of the IPL or too much cricket. He said that Indian cricketers are professionals who get excellent facilities and support from the BCCI, so players cannot let fatigue or a busy schedule be the reason for poor performance.
He said, “I will not accept excuses like IPL hangover and body fatigue. These are things that people working on daily wages can say. A high-level Indian professional cricketer cannot say this. If it is so, then sit at home and do not play cricket. You are carrying the expectations of a billion people, and it is a privilege to play for India. This is not a right, so you cannot give these excuses.”
S Badrinath criticized India’s poor performance
Cricket pundits also expressed surprise at the team’s poor performance as India has the world’s best T20 tournament—the IPL—which produces many talented players every year. Earlier, “Never seen a more confused Indian team management”: Mohammad Kaif on Gautam Gambhir’s support staff.
S Badrinath said, “I am surprised by these results because we have the best T20 tournament in the world in the IPL, which grooms the talent. BCCI also provides the best to Indian cricketers. So, when you go and perform like this, questions can and will be asked.”
Notably, India have not focused on the 50-over format as they prepare to face England in the three-match ODI series starting on July 14.
