BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma on Saturday (February 19) said that he had informed Test specialists Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha, and Ishant Sharma that they will not be considered for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting March 4.
The selection committee named an 18-member squad for the Sri Lanka series, which didn’t feature any of the aforementioned names while Rohit Sharma was appointed captain.
"The selectors took the decision after much deliberation. We have spoken to them soon after the South Africa series, we told them that we will not consider them for the two Test matches against Sri Lanka and the doors are absolutely open for them. There is absolutely no problem. We told them to go and play the Ranji Trophy," Chetan Sharma said while addressing the media.
While Saha skipped the Ranji Trophy citing personal reasons, Rahane slammed a century in Mumbai’s opening match against Saurashtra on Friday (February 18). On the other hand, Saurashtra’s Pujara bagged a duck in the first innings versus Mumbai.
"The best part is that they are such senior players and they are going and playing Ranji Tophy. The doors are open for them. Just for two Test matches, selectors wanted to give chance to other players," the chairman of the selection committee added.
"We are nobody to close doors on anyone. This is a game of cricket where you have to score runs, pick up wickets and then you can play for the country. That's the most important aspect. When we decide to give a break to a player, we make it a point to give them a period. I have requested all four of them to play Ranji Trophy. The selectors are giving a lot of attention to domestic cricket and Ranji Trophy. The tournament is happening after a long while, so we thought it would be good if they go back there and perform..."
Since first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was rested for the home Test series against New Zealand last year, Saha got the opportunity to play the two red-ball games. Although he scored a crucial half-century in the second innings of the Kanpur Test, Saha didn’t feature in the playing XI during the subsequent South Africa tour.
There were speculations that the selectors wanted to look beyond Wriddhiman Saha as he is 37-year-old. However, Chetan Sharma clarified that age is not a factor while picking a team.
"We don't want to give too much of an importance to age. It is okay. After a point, the selectors start thinking that if an youngster is around, you want to give them a chance... The management decides the best possible XI. We, selectors, have been following KS Bharat and watched him keep in Kanpur. There is nothing wrong in telling Saha (and the other three) that we will not consider them for Sri Lanka Tests," he said.
"This selection committee feels that unless you are unfit, or you have injury issues, you should play domestic cricket. That's most important. If someone does not want to play, we cannot interfere in that..."
(Inputs from Sportstar)
