The countdown to the One-Day International World Cup 2022 has begun, and cricket fans, past players, and experts are already beginning to name the individuals they would like to see compete in the tournament.
As a result of the decision made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to compile a shortlist of 20 players, the Indian cricketing community is currently engaged in speculation on the identities of these individuals.
However, with regard to the list of players who “won’t be” in the team, top selector and former India star Kris Srikkanth is certain of the name that he would not include in the roster.
In an interview that aired exclusively on the Star Sports programme “Cricket Ka Mahakumbh,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth discussed which players the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should select for the 2023 World Cup as well as which players have the potential to win games for India.
During the conversation, he mentioned Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur as two players whose spots in the One-Day International World Cup roster he would not choose to fill.
“Two of the players, namely Shubhman Gill and Shardul Thakur, will not be included on my list. If you were interested in my medium pacers, Bumrah, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj would be your best bets. It is sufficient to have four medium pacers. Shami would be a so-so,” he remarked.
Srikkanth went on to say that the Indian squad needs players with the ability to win matches single-handedly, such as Yusuf Pathan, even if those players are erratic. Rishabh Pant is such a player in Srikkanth’s book.
“To clarify, I’m not a fan; I’m saying in my capacity as chairman of selectors; yet, I would rather bring in Hooda.
And I think these are the guys who are going to win matches, so what more could you ask for? You want to win matches, you need horses like Yusuf Pathan who will win you matches single-handedly.
It is not necessary for them to win all 10 of the matches in order for this to be sufficient. Do not count on these players being consistent in any way. Rishabh Pant is one of the players in this team that fits that description; yet, you can not expect consistency from him.
I’m not interested in consistency; all I care about is winning matches, and if these guys can achieve it on their own, that’s fantastic. Who will do that for you? Rishabh Pant will accomplish that for you,” he asserted.