The team selection of the Indian team for the 2019 edition of the 50-over World Cup was controversial as the team had to exit the tournament after losing to the blackcaps in the semis. The way the middle order collapsed after the top three batsmen Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli lost their wickets highlighted the importance of a strong player at the No.4 position.
A lot of questions were raised on why a talented player like Ambati Rayudu was not selected on the team. In his place, Vijay Shankar was taken. However, his inclusion did not help much as he failed to score runs when the team needed the best. In the Semis too, he could not bring a spark with the bat. His selection kickstarted a controversy.
Former Indian player Ravi Shastri who recently completed his tenure as the coach of the team had broken in silence on the controversy. Speaking to a news outlet, the flamboyant figure gave his take on various aspects of the team selection and how he is seeing them.
Talking about Ambati Rayudu not getting a spot in the team for the tournament, Ravi Shastri said, he has no say on the topic. However, he agreed to the point that Ambati Rayudu should have got a chance in the middle order. He opined that if not for Ambati Rayudu, Shreyas Iyer should have gotten a chance.
Speaking to Times of India, Ravi Shastri also wondered why three wicketkeeper-batsmen MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, and Rishabh Pant were taken into the team. Having said that, Mr. Shastri said, he did not interfere in the team selection.
Remembering the sad exit of India from the 2019 edition of the 50-over World Cup, Ravi Shastri opined that it had hurt him after India could not win the tournament. I have to admit that it was a hurting moment, he said.
MSK Prasad, who was a chairman of selectors during the team selection said that Vijay Shankar was taken into the team as he serves multi-dimensions like batting, fielding, and bowling. Taking these issues into consideration, he was taken into the team and we are not against Ambati Rayudu, he said.
A lot of questions were raised on why a talented player like Ambati Rayudu was not selected on the team. In his place, Vijay Shankar was taken. However, his inclusion did not help much as he failed to score runs when the team needed the best. In the Semis too, he could not bring a spark with the bat. His selection kickstarted a controversy.
Former Indian player Ravi Shastri who recently completed his tenure as the coach of the team had broken in silence on the controversy. Speaking to a news outlet, the flamboyant figure gave his take on various aspects of the team selection and how he is seeing them.
Talking about Ambati Rayudu not getting a spot in the team for the tournament, Ravi Shastri said, he has no say on the topic. However, he agreed to the point that Ambati Rayudu should have got a chance in the middle order. He opined that if not for Ambati Rayudu, Shreyas Iyer should have gotten a chance.
Speaking to Times of India, Ravi Shastri also wondered why three wicketkeeper-batsmen MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, and Rishabh Pant were taken into the team. Having said that, Mr. Shastri said, he did not interfere in the team selection.
Remembering the sad exit of India from the 2019 edition of the 50-over World Cup, Ravi Shastri opined that it had hurt him after India could not win the tournament. I have to admit that it was a hurting moment, he said.
MSK Prasad, who was a chairman of selectors during the team selection said that Vijay Shankar was taken into the team as he serves multi-dimensions like batting, fielding, and bowling. Taking these issues into consideration, he was taken into the team and we are not against Ambati Rayudu, he said.