Difficult to understand the parameters of India’s team selection, says Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan is absolutely baffled with selector's decision to drop Karun Nair from India's squad for the two-match Test series against West Indies.

Karun Nair was snubbed from India's squad for the two-Test series against West Indies | Getty

Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Tuesday (October 2) questioned the parameters used by the MSK Prasad-led selection panel to pick up the national squad.

Young batsmen Karun Nair, who warmed the bench for five Tests in England, was snubbed from India's 15-member squad for the two-match Test series against West Indies and Harbhajan is absolutely baffled with this decision.

“This is a mystery that needs to be solved. How can a person sitting on the bench for three months become so bad that he is not good enough to remain in the squad,” Harbhajan quoted as saying by PTI.

“Trust me, I am at pains to understand the thinking of this selection committee and the parameters that they are using for selecting national squads,” he added.

Harbhajan, who has more than 700 international wickets to his name, cannot stop feeling for the second triple centurion in Test cricket from India.

“I find different set of rules for different players. There are some who are given a long rope to succeed while for select others they don’t even get one chance to fail. That is not fair,” Harbhajan asserted.

The ‘Turbanator’ also put forward a hypothetical question. “What if Hanuma Vihari fails in two Test matches against West Indies? Though I would never wish something like that for any player. I wish him (Vihari) all the very best.

“(In case Vihari is not able to deliver) so you will go back to Nair but will he be battle ready with confidence for Australia tour?”

Harbhajan also went on to ask a probing question as to whether the team management is on the same page with the selection committee.

"If team management did not play Karun for five Tests, then it means that he couldn't inspire confidence in them. Well, my question is whether the selectors were able to convince the captain while naming Karun for England series? If not did they seriously consider the name that team management had in mind," he questioned.

Harbhajan concluded by pointing out the poor selection policy that can affect the morale and team performance.

"Hope all concerned with team selection undergo course correction before they decide on the Australia tour," he signed-off.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 02 Oct, 2018

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