Former Indian chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at the Indian team management for selecting too many spinners instead of an additional pacer for the forthcoming New Zealand T20I series.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth questioned the team management on the rationale behind selecting too many spinners, as the New Zealand surfaces are expected to assist pacers comparatively. He went on to add that either Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami should have been selected instead.
“Having three spinners is a luxury. In fact, with Naman Dhir, it’s 3.5 spinners because he’s playing more as a spinner. He’s a spinner who can bat at the moment in this Indian setup. So, instead of four spinners, India should have picked one more medium-pacer. Why do you need so many spinners in New Zealand conditions? Either Mohammed Siraj or Mohammed Shami should have been there,” Srikkanth said.
“Shami needs to have a look in also, especially with the 50-over World Cup coming in South Africa. So many spinners will be a waste in New Zealand. With Axar Patel and Naman Dhir sure to play, only one of Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakaravarthy can play. You needed another reserve medium pacer,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Kumar Reddy form India’s pace battery in the forthcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
India’s T20I Squad vs NZ: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav
