- At the outset, let’s not be under the cloud of uncertainty as to how informed Indian cricket fans are when it comes to matters of cricket and the selection-related issues. Mind you, every Indian is an expert on the intricacies and nuances surrounding cricket. We know the reach, popularity, following, and craze for cricket in India. The advent of the cash-rich Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament has completely altered the face of the sport in the country and beyond. The amount of revenue being splurged into the league is astounding, to say the least. Little wonder that several internationally acclaimed cricketers would not let go of an opportunity to play in the league, often foregoing the option of representing their countries.
PC: Cricket Counsel
- Such being the case, the insane popularity surrounding T20 cricket is unbelievable. Thus, the ensuing T20 World Cup, being jointly hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, has already started hitting headlines with great anticipation. Team India has won the recently concluded five-match T20Is against the visiting South Africa by 3-1. Consequently, the selection of Team India garnered tremendous interest among the patrons. Mind you, the selection of Shubhman Gill as the vice-captain for the recently concluded series ensured he played at the top of the innings in place of Sanju Samson. As you know, Sanju Samson has been in outstanding T20 form in the last year or so. But the same cannot be said about Gill, though.
PC: Sportstar – The Hindu
- Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top of the order were not only providing rollicking starts but also setting the stage for the other batters to play their natural attacking games with gay abandon. That combination was disturbed with the inclusion of Gill at the top of the order, partnering Abhishek. Unfortunately, Gill hasn’t been in run-scoring form in T20Is over the last few games, returning meager scores most often. While Abhishek kick-starts with a familiar all-guns blazing blitzkrieg at the start of the innings, Gill has been found struggling, failing repeatedly to keep pace with the requirement. Thus, the team announcement dropping Gill from the fifteen for the T20 World Cup should not come as a surprise for the discerning fans.
PC: NewsBytes
- Sanju Samson definitely deserves an extended opportunity at the top of the order since he wasn’t selected for a few games in the middle order. His game is not suited as a finisher either. As such, dropping Gill and earmarking Sanju to open the innings alongside Abhishek is par for the course move. However, what must have come as a surprise must be the dropping of keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma from the squad. Whenever given an opportunity, Jitesh has performed well as a finisher, thereby ensuring the team crosses the finishing line. The unceremonious dropping from the fifteen-member squad must have come as a bolt from the blue for Jitesh. The selectors should have persisted with Jitesh rather than selecting Ishan Kishan. It’s the selectors’ call, you see.
