The recent selection of the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies has stirred controversy, with Abhimanyu Easwaran among those left out despite being part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy squad. A World Cup winner has suggested that a father's critical remarks about team selections may have contributed to the snub of a certain Indian star.
Adding to the selection debate, Washington Sundar's father has openly criticized the BCCI for inconsistent selection decisions. M. Sundar voiced his frustration with what he perceives as unfair treatment towards his son, highlighting Washington's consistent performances often being overlooked. He pointed out that while other players receive regular opportunities, his son is often dropped even after a couple of failures. He cited instances where Washington scored crucial runs, such as his unbeaten 85 in Chennai and 96* in Ahmedabad against England in 2021, yet struggled to maintain a consistent place in the team.
M. Sundar believes the issue is systemic rather than performance-related, suggesting that Washington might be dropped regardless of his scores. He questioned whether other Indian cricketers face the same level of scrutiny and inconsistency. He also criticized the Gujarat Titans, Washington's IPL franchise, for not providing him with a prolonged run. He urged selectors to be more objective and give his son a fair opportunity, advocating for Washington to bat consistently at number five and receive a series of chances to prove himself.
Adding another layer to the discussion, Sunil Gavaskar has questioned Shubman Gill's authority in team selection, particularly regarding the omission of Kuldeep Yadav in a past Test match. Gavaskar questioned whether Gill truly has the final say and hinted at potential internal dynamics influencing decisions behind the scenes. Gavaskar stated that as captain, Gill should have the team he wants and that any issues should be brought to light.
In related news from the prior year, Karun Nair broke his silence regarding being dropped from the West Indies Test series.
These selection controversies highlight the complexities and potential biases in team selections, raising questions about fairness, communication, and the roles of various stakeholders in the decision-making process.
