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Suryakumar Yadav's selection over Sarfaraz Khan was the biggest surprise in India's squads for the New Zealand limited-overs series and the first two Tests against Australia.
The BCCI released the lineups for the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia as well as the squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand. There were some well-known players and some major surprises, including as Prithvi Shaw's return to the Indian team after 537 days away. He is on the team for the T20 matches against New Zealand. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have also received their first Test call-ups from the BCCI. In the home series against England, Surya was chosen as a replacement in the Test squad, but this was the first time he was named in the starting Test team.
Despite the surprises, fans were left aghast by the exclusion of Sarfaraz Khan, who didn't find a spot in the squad for the two Tests vs Australia in Nagpur (February 9-13) and Delhi (February 17-21). The 25-year-old has registered 431 runs in five games for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, packed with two tons and a half-century. Last season, the batter bagged 982 runs in six games, at an average of 122.75. He also hammered four centuries. Many fans felt that he deserved a spot, instead of Suryakumar or Kishan, considering his form.
While Kishan's selection as a backup keeper to KS Bharat is understandable considering the unfortunate road accident to Rishabh Pant, which has, in probability, sidelined him for about six months, the decision to prefer Suryakumar over Sarfaraz is bound to raise plenty of questions. Especially when the Indian team management, including captain Rohit Sharma, has gone public about not mixing formats when it comes to selecting teams.
“Selecting Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Sarfaraz Khan in Tests is an insult to Ranji Trophy. That guy has been one of the most consistent run-getters in First Class cricket and deserved that call-up more than anyone. Baffling selection by this committee, yet again,” came a reaction.
I do not believe performances are applicable to the selection committee. Sarfaraz is consistently performing in the Ranji Trophy. But he did not get a spot, despite the fact that Prithvi deserves a chance in Tests, but our inept committee chose him for T20Is. #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/4MOKuFGedj
— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952_) January 14, 2023
Ishan Kishan and SKY in squad,fair to say that Ranji performances have started to hold less value and public opinion has started to hold more sway.Ishan still understandable but SKY selection is baffling and won't sent good signal to guys like Sarfaraz and Hanuma. https://t.co/q9W7Pk0tiV— Akash Kumar Jha (@Akashkumarjha14) January 13, 2023
Famous cricket broadcaster Harsha Bhogle said, "Very hard on Sarfaraz Khan who has literally broken the door down in first class cricket. You can't do more than he has."
Very hard on Sarfaraz Khan who has literally broken the door down in first class cricket. You can't do more than he has.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 13, 2023
The Test team will be captained by Rohit, with KL Rahul serving as his backup. Veterans like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ravindra Jadeja make up the team. Mohammed Shami will be in charge of the pace batteries in the interim.
India's lineup for Australia's first two Test matches:
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, C Pujara, V Kohli, S Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav
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