Basit Ali exposes 'Mumbai lobby' politics in Indian cricket, backs Rishabh Pant as new captain

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali recently criticized the influence of Mumbai-based players in the India national cricket team. Basit Ali stated that both India's Test and ODI captain, Rohit Sharma, and T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, are from Mumbai, which highlights the dominance of the Mumbai lobby.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, clinched a 4-1 T20I series win against England at home. Rohit Sharma will take back the captaincy as India prepares to face England in a three-match ODI series, starting on Thursday, February 6. Notably, it will be India's final assignment before the Champions Trophy 2025.

The People from Mumbai Are Very Strong - Basit Ali

Speaking in his latest YouTube video, Basit Ali said that Rishabh Pant should be given a leadership role in the Indian team, rather than favoring players from Mumbai. Basit stated that Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav are Mumbai-based and hold leadership positions in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

"The people from Mumbai are very strong. You see that the captain for Tests and ODIs is Rohit Sharma. For T20Is, it is Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar and Shivam Dube are even going to play the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal. If Rohit doesn't go to England for the Test series, whose name was doing the rounds? It was Jasprit Bumrah's. In my opinion, Rishabh Pant should be there," Basit said.

Gautam Gambhir Was Praising Him a Lot in Australia - Basit Ali

Basit Ali slammed the Indian selectors for excluding pacer Mohammed Siraj from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad. He stated that Siraj deserved a spot in the team, adding that he had earned praise from head coach Gautam Gambhir during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

"Gautam Gambhir was praising him a lot in Australia and now he is not even part of the squad. I am surprised. He should have been there," Basit said in the video.

Siraj was dropped from the Indian squad after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he took 20 wickets in five Tests. He was replaced by Harshit Rana, who is yet to make his debut in the 50-over format, for the ODI series against England.

Let Him and Harshit Rana Play Together Against England - Basit Ali

The cricketer-turned-expert said that Mohammed Siraj should be included in India's squad for the final two ODIs against England amid uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. He added that Siraj and Harshit Rana play together to help selectors decide who should be picked for the event.

"If India want to pick Siraj for the Champions Trophy, let him and Harshit Rana play together against England. They would get to know then whom to pick. He will get to play two matches if he is added to the squad now," he added.

In ODIs, Siraj has taken 71 wickets in 44 matches at an economy rate of 5.18. Siraj was not selected for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, with Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and Harshit Rana in the 16-member squad.

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