Former Indian cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh questioned the Indian national selection committee for including Prasidh Krishna, who is subject to fitness clearance, in both ODI and Test squads for the forthcoming New Zealand tour.
Notably, Prasidh suffered a hamstring injury during the recent three-match ODI series against the West Indies and was ruled out of the final ODI. Speaking on his Instagram handle, Ramesh expressed disappointment over the pacer’s selection despite not being completely fit.
“Take Prasidh Krishna, he’s picked for the first three ODIs and the Tests subject to fitness clearance. I have only one question. If he’s subject to fitness clearance for a Test match that starts after a month, and there is uncertainty about whether he’ll be fit for the Tests themselves, then how will he be fit for the first three ODIs, when that takes place two weeks before the Tests?” Ramesh questioned.
“That’s why it’s best to pick players who are fully fit during the time of selection. It is when the same selectors, who say we have plenty of backup options, yet go to the players who are injury-prone or subject to fitness clearance, that needless tension is created,” he added.
Further, Ramesh pointed out that selectors have recently developed a tendency to include two or three players whose participation depends on fitness clearance, arguing that this only creates confusion. India are scheduled to play five T20Is and a five-match ODI series before concluding the New Zealand tour with a two-Test series.
“In the squads now, two to three players are always picked subject to fitness clearance. It says the player is not fit at the time of selection, but the management is saying they’ll play if fit at the time of the match. This only causes confusion,” he concluded.
