“Toughest decision” – Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar opens up about dropping Star Player

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 tournament very recently. The Indian cricket fraternity was indeed taken aback by the squad, particularly surrounding the inclusions and exclusions of certain players. The BCCI had to take bold calls, keeping the players’ form, consistency, strike-rate and other important factors. Unfortunately, some deserving players failed to make the cut in the final squad.

Meanwhile, BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar has shed light on dropping a star player from India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. The chief selector faced a difficult decision to leave Rinku Singh out of the T20 team, opting for experienced players. The squad was picked with consideration for team dynamics, uncertain conditions, and the specific skills required for the World Cup.

Rinku Singh has done nothing wrong: Ajit Agarkar

Despite the fact that there was immense hype to induct new talents into India’s T20 lineup, the selectors once again prioritized experience. The former Indian fast bowler added that either Rinku Singh or Shubman Gill did nothing wrong before adding that it is the board had to stick to the best combinations going forward to have clear shot at the T20 World Cup. For the record, both Rinku and Gill have been named in the reserves.

“It was the toughest decision. He has done nothing wrong, nor has Shubman Gill. It’s just the combinations. We’re not sure of the conditions we’ll get (in the USA) and we wanted to have enough (bowling) options. We had a couple of wrist-spinners to give Rohit more options, I don’t think it’s anything to do with Rinku. It’s not his fault that he missed out, it’s more the 15 we felt we needed, with two keepers who are both terrific batters, we will have an extra batter sitting out. But he’s still one of the traveling substitutes. That’s how close he was, but we can only take 15,” Ajit Agarkar was quoted as saying by TOI.

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The last time India won the ICC title was back in 2013 when the Men in Blue beat England to win the Champions Trophy. It’s been more than a decade since India won the ICC title and it remains to be seen how they will go about their work this time around. Rohit Sharma and Co. will be hoping to put an end to ICC’s title drought.