Following the announcement of India's squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, the exclusion of Tilak Varma, a standout performer in the recent Asia Cup final, has raised eyebrows. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the matter, clarifying that the series is not viewed as a "test series" but rather as an opportunity to solidify the team's preparations and provide chances to a broader pool of players.
The ODI squad sees Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy, with Shreyas Iyer as his deputy. Veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included, marking their return to the ODI format. The squad also features Axar Patel, KL Rahul (as wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (also a wicket-keeper), and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested to manage his workload. Hardik Pandya is out due to injury.
Agarkar acknowledged Varma's impressive performance in the Asia Cup but emphasized the need to look at the bigger picture. He stated that the selection committee is aiming to create a well-rounded team with sufficient depth, keeping in mind the upcoming major tournaments.
"It's not a test series in the sense that we are not solely focused on experimenting," Agarkar clarified. "We have a core group in mind, but it's also crucial to give opportunities to other players who have been performing well. Tilak is undoubtedly a talented player, and he will certainly be considered for future series. This particular series provides an opportunity to assess other options and combinations."
The inclusion of players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel suggests that the selectors are keen on identifying players who can fit into specific roles within the team. Jurel's inclusion, despite Sanju Samson's strong ODI record, has also sparked debate. Agarkar explained that Jurel's ability to bat lower down the order was a key factor in his selection, as the team was looking for players to fill those specific slots.
Agarkar also addressed concerns about Virat Kohli's fitness, stating that Kohli and all selected players had met the required fitness standards. He also commented on the roles of Kohli and Sharma in the team, stating that their main priority would be to score runs.
The decision to appoint Shubman Gill as captain signals a move towards establishing stable leadership for the future. Agarkar noted the challenges of managing three different captains across formats and highlighted the importance of giving the new captain ample time to prepare.
The ODI series against Australia, commencing on October 19, is seen as a platform to fine-tune the team's strategies and solidify the roles of individual players. While the non-inclusion of Varma may be disappointing for some, Agarkar's statements suggest that it is part of a broader strategy to build a strong and versatile team for future challenges.
