The India T20I squad for the series against England carries some big surprises with star players Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal left out of the team. The selection committee has gone with younger talent for this five-match series, which furthered the beliefs of many who felt that the trio has been rested after a tiring five-match Test series against Australia. However, this former cricketer is mighty disappointed with the selection of Dhruv Jurel over Pant in the T20 format.
In the newly announced squad, Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel had been picked as wicket-keepers with Samson all but certain to seal a spot in the playing XI. Chopra, however, feels that Jurel will hardly get a chance to play against England unless either Nitish Kumar Reddy or Rinku Singh is left out. “You have picked Dhruv Jurel on pure potential, but there simply isn’t room for him in the starting XI without sacrificing one of the others.”
While much angst has been made of the lineup, Chopra’s misgivings extended beyond that. He questioned the exclusion of Pant: “It can’t be that Rishabh Pant is not in your plans. Have selectors made this call so early in his career? I believe Pant is a generational talent and should be considered an asset.”
He further called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India to continue investing in Pant, even in white-ball formats. “If he is not part of your immediate plans, perhaps he’s being rested. But his position for the Champions Trophy is not secure. Even if selected, there’s no guarantee he will play,” Chopra noted.
Chopra emphasized the need for clarity from the selectors regarding Pant’s status, particularly during this transition phase for the team. “It’s crucial to keep everyone informed and provide clarity as the team evolves,” he concluded.
