"Has something happened that we don't know about?" - Aakash Chopra on Kuldeep Yadav's non-selection for IND vs SL T20I series
Aakash Chopra has expressed surprise over Kuldeep Yadav's non-selection in India's squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He has also questioned the selectors for ignoring Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad for the entire tour.
The Men in Blue will square off against the Lankan Lions in three T20Is followed by as many ODIs, with the first game scheduled in Pallekele on July 27. The selectors recently named 15-member squads for both legs of the tour.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on some of the glaring omissions in the two squads. As for Kuldeep not being picked in the T20I squad, he said (0:45).
"Kuldeep Yadav's name is not there in T20 cricket. It's very surprising because the guy has come just now after winning the World Cup but his name is not there in T20 cricket. Has something happened that we don't know about? He is going with the ODI setup. I have got no idea why he isn't playing T20Is."
The former India opener questioned whether the selectors have started looking beyond Chahal and Jadeja.
"Yuzi Chahal also comes to mind. You were just now part of the World Cup. After that, you are nowhere. Ravindra Jadeja is also not part of ODI cricket. What's happening there? He has himself retired from T20Is but would have been available in ODIs. If he is available and is not being played despite that, have Team India started looking in some other direction?" Chopra observed.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are the two spinners picked in both the T20I and ODI squads. While Kuldeep has been chosen as the wrist-spinner for the ODIs, Ravi Bishnoi has made it to the team for the shortest format.
"Is that right?" - Aakash Chopra on Ruturaj Gaikwad's non-selection
Aakash Chopra questioned Ruturaj Gaikwad's non-selection in both formats, especially considering he led India recently.
"Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out in both formats. What did Ruturaj Gaikwad do that his name hasn't come? Six months ago, you were worthy of becoming the captain of a team, a team that had Shubman Gill who wasn't playing, but Shubman has become the vice-captain now and Ruturaj is not even part of the team, neither in T20Is nor in ODIs. Is that right?" he said in the same video.
The reputed commentator added that Gaikwad would be as upset as Sanju Samson, who has been omitted from the ODI squad if the reasons for his non-selection hadn't been communicated to him.
"It's the same thing, the coach was someone else and the selection committee might have been different. They might have done something but now they are looking for change. I really hope that it's being communicated that he is being looked at for T20Is and will be considered for ODIs because, otherwise, Ruturaj Gaikwad, like Sanju Samson, will be very aggrieved. He might be feeling that he has been wronged," Chopra elaborated.
Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the only two specialist openers picked in India's T20I squad. Gill will also likely bat at the top of the order with Rohit Sharma in the ODIs, with KL Rahul potentially being made to open if required.