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India National Cricket Team captain Shreyas Iyer has been facing massive criticism after the team lost the T20I series in Ireland and the England series. Amid the criticism, S Badrinath has not only slammed Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy but also questioned one of his selection decisions.
A former India batter has questioned the young all-rounder Suryansh Shedge’s selection in the T20I squad. He said that the captain had a strong role in bringing the youngster into the team. Amid this, Dinesh Karthik highlights Shreyas Iyer's tactical flaws after England's whitewash.
S Badrinath slams Shreyas Iyer's captaincy; questions Suryansh Shedge's selection
S Badrinath accused Shreyas Iyer of favouritism as he slammed Suryansh Shedge’s selection call. He felt that if the captain has an important voice in selecting players, then he must also accept responsibility when those players fail to perform and the team does not get the results.
Shedge plays domestic cricket for Mumbai and represents Punjab Kings in the IPL, and that’s why he got selected for the Ireland and England tours, as claimed by Badrinath. Interestingly, the youngster got each chance in England and Ireland.
He scored only eight runs and did not take a single wicket across both games, and even he conceded runs at an economy rate of nearly 13. The former batter also criticized Iyer's captaincy as India first got whitewashed by Ireland in the two-match T20I series and then suffered a 4-0 defeat in the five-match T20I series against England.
The first T20I was whitewashed in England, with Iyer losing six completed matches as a captain in a row. Subramaniam Badrinath said on his YouTube channel: “This looks like a Shreyas Iyer selection. Shreyas clearly has a say in selection, evidenced by this. So, he has to take responsibility for results even if he's new to captaincy. He has been very poor as captain. The selection of Suryansh Shedge makes you question Shreyas.”
S Badrinath rejects tiredness claims, says players must take responsibility
S Badrinath also rejected the idea that players were tired because of the IPL or too much cricket. He said Indian cricketers are professionals who get the best facilities and support from the BCCI, so players cannot use tiredness or a busy schedule as a reason for poor performances.
He added, “I won't accept excuses like IPL hangover and body tiredness. These are things those that work for daily wages can say. A high-level Indian professional cricketer can't say these. If so, then sit at home and don't play cricket. You are carrying the expectations of a billion people, and it's a privilege to play for India. It's not a right, so you cannot give these excuses.”
S Badrinath blasts India's poor performance
The cricket pundit also expressed his surprise at the team’s miserable performances because India has the best T20 tournament in the world—the IPL—that produces many talented players every year. Earlier, "Never seen a more confused Indian team management": Mohammad Kaif on Gautam Gambhir's support staff.
S Badrinath signed off by saying, “I am shocked by these results, as we have the best T20 tournament in the world in the IPL, which breeds talent. The BCCI also provides the Indian cricketers with the best of things. So, when you go and perform like this, questions must and will be asked.”
Notably, India has not shifted focus to the 50-over format as they are gearing up to face England in the three-match ODI series, starting on July 14.
