Rohit, Agarkar Slammed For 'Going Against Rules' As Karun Nair's Champions Trophy Snub Leaves Netizens Upset (Source: AP/INSTAGRAM)
India announced the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy and the preceding three-match ODI series against England. Rumours were doing rounds that Karun Nair could be added to the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy given his stellar run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy where he scored 752 runs in seven matches, including five centuries. Nair, however, wasn't picked. When asked about Nair's snub, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said they did have a chat about Nair, however, added that it was tough to accommodate everyone in the team.
“I mean, those are really special performances and I mean someone who averages about 700+, 750 + or something, we did have a chat, no doubt about it, when those-kind of performances happen. At the moment, to find a spot in this team is very difficult,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
"Look at the guys who've been picked, all average were in excess of mid-40s. Unfortunately, you can't fit everyone in. It's a squad of 15, but those performances certainly make you take notice," he added.
Meanwhile, Nair's snub left the netizens upset who felt that the batter deserved a place in the squad given his performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah's Inclusion Sujected To Fitness
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was named in the India squad for the Champions Trophy despite fitness concerns. Bumrah picked up an injury during the fifth Test vs Australia and there were doubts about his availability. Agarkar revealed that Bumrah was picked in the squad, but, his availability will be subjected to fitness. The BCCI will get a fitness update on Bumrah in early February.
Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav Return, Yashasvi Jaiswal Included
Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav returned to the team, while Yashasvi Jaiswal earned maiden ODI call-up. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were also picked in the squad. Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami were the seam bowling options, while Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja were spinners.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.
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