Live Score
Cricket Teams
Cricket Players
Sourav Ganguly surprised by Ajinkya Rahane’s exclusion for England ODIs
Sourav Ganguly has called the BCCI’s decision to drop Ajinkya Rahane for the ODI series against England ‘harsh’, stating the Mumbai batsman should have been picked because of his experience.
Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, has criticised the exclusion of Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane from the ODI and T20I squads to take on Ireland and England next month.
While Rahane was not included in the limited-overs sides, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Ambati Rayudu, who has been in red-hot form this Indian Premier League (IPL), was selected for the three-match ODI series against England.
Ganguly is of the opinion that even though it is Rayudu who has been in splendid form, India should have preferred Rahane for the UK tour because of his experience.
READ | Tour of Ireland: Virat Kohli county stint leaves selectors confused
Speaking to India Today, Ganguly said: “Ajinkya Rahane has missed out on limited-overs squad. (It is) a harsh decision. I would still pick Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Ambati Rayudu. Ajinkya Rahane is a far superior player in England where the ball is going to move. He has got a good record in England.”
Ganguly, however, welcomed the inclusion of Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer, who made his limited-overs international debut in 2017. Iyer was also speculated to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian side for the Afghanistan Test as the incumbent leader would be in England for his county stint with Surrey.
READ | Best opportunity for us to give Karun Nair a chance: India chief selector MSK Prasad
“Shreyas Iyer is in the England ODI side which is a good decision. Karun Nair (in the Test squad vs Afghanistan) is a bit of a surprise. I am surprised that Shreyas Iyer has not been picked for the one-off Test considering he’s been brilliant for Delhi in the IPL,” Ganguly said.
India will tour England for a three-match T20I, ODI and a five-match Test series starting July 3. The tour will conclude in September with the two teams competing for the Pataudi Trophy.
