Auqib Nabi India Debut: Team India’s squads for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June were announced. Speaking on JioHotstar, JioStar experts Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina weighed in on the selection calls, KL Rahul being handed the Test vice-captaincy, and the new-look bowling attack in the format.
Auqib Nabi India Debut
Speaking on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Mohammad Kaif reckoned that Rishabh Pant deserved to stay as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team:
“Rishabh Pant hasn’t done anything wrong. Red-ball and white-ball cricket are two very different formats. You are judging him based on the IPL, saying that he is not doing a good job as captain, that his team is losing, and that he is not scoring runs. But I believe there is no bigger match-winner for India in Tests, as a batter, than Rishabh Pant. The problem is that people mix the formats. Why didn’t Auqib Nabi get the nod? Because he didn’t take wickets in the IPL?”
“These are two completely different formats. KL Rahul is 34 years old. On one hand, you don’t pick Mohammed Shami, saying that age is not on his side and that you are looking at younger players. So, I’d want them to be consistent. Either go by form, regardless of age, and if you are scoring runs or taking wickets, you should get picked. Because I think Rishabh Pant deserved to continue as vice-captain.”
Speaking on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Suresh Raina shared his thoughts on the new-look bowling attack of the Test team.
“Auqib Nabi should have gotten a chance. He played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir winning the Ranji Trophy for the first time. But I feel Prasidh and Siraj are bowling well with good line and length. They have pace, and Gurnoor, who is 6’5″, comes from Punjab and has taken 52 wickets in 18 first-class matches.”
“I am sure Shubman Gill would have given his inputs about the kind of bowlers he wanted. Gurnoor offers a point of difference because of his height and build. You also see players like Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey being picked, so I feel Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh are doing a good job in the selection committee. They have been watching matches all around the country and would have kept an eye on the top performers during the red-ball season.”
