Former India captain and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has criticized the current BCCI selection committee for their ‘absurd and baffling’ decision to ignore Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan.
The BCCI had announced the India squad for the Test, which will begin on June 6 in New Chandigarh, and it had Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy as pace bowling options.
Nabi’s snub came as a surprise given he was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 60 wickets in 10 matches at a stunning average of 12.56 and was named Player of the Tournament after guiding J&K to their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
“The selectors’ decision to ignore him is absolutely absurd and baffling. What kind of selection is this? It is just not acceptable. It is injustice. Can you imagine Nabi’s plight right now? He took 60 wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He has worked hard for it and deserves a place ahead of everybody else,” Dilip Vengsarkar told Times of India.
Vengsarkar went one step further and questioned the worth of domestic cricket if such outstanding performances are still disregarded.
“If domestic cricket performances are not a criterion, then the BCCI should scrap domestic cricket,” Vengsarkar added.
Nabi also took 44 wickets at 13.27 in the previous Ranji season but has been continuously overlooked, apparently due to worries about his pace.
That argument, however, does not persuade Vengsarkar. He further stated that with Jasprit Bumrah being rested, it was a good opportunity for selectors to blood in Nabi.
“You pick a bowler for his ability to get wickets. He may bowl at 130 kmph, but the important thing is his wicket-taking ability. This kid has shown tremendous consistency in getting wickets. This was the ideal time to groom him. When a player is in form, you give him the opportunity then and there. You don’t wait until he loses confidence, fitness, or hunger,” he stressed.
During Tuesday's press conference, head selector Ajit Agarkar admitted that Nabi's performances were discussed. Instead, the selectors chose Punjab and Gujarat Titans bowler Gurnoor Brar, who received his first call-up to both the Test and ODI squads.
