India vs Windies 2018: Harbhajan Singh Questions Authenticity of Selectors

India’s veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has raised questions over the authenticity of the selectors. The Indian selectors’ have dropped Karun Nair for the forthcoming two-match series against the Windies. Nair didn’t get a chance on the England tour. He was expected to be in the playing XI in the fifth and final Test match. However, Hanuma Vihari was given a go-ahead in place of Nair.

Subsequently, the Turbanator said on what grounds Nair was dropped from the squad as he didn’t play any matches on the England tour. Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh was also surprised to not see Rohit Sharma in the Indian Test squad.

Nair has to face the music once again.

“This is a mystery that needs to be solved. How can a person sitting on the bench for three months become so bad that he is not good enough to remain in the squad,” Harbhajan said as quoted by PTI.

“Trust me, I am at pains to understand the thinking of this selection committee and the parameters that they are using for selecting national squads,” the off-spinner said.

Consequently, Harbhajan Singh said the national selectors are following different rules for different players. Some are given a longer rope in the team without any performance whereas some are getting no chances.

“I find a different set of rules for different players. There are some who are given a long rope to succeed while for select others they don’t even get one chance to fail. That is not fair,” Harbhajan said.

What if Hanuma Vihari fails to perform.

Harbhajan Singh said if Hanuma Vihari fails to perform against Windies, India could land in trouble for the upcoming tour of Australia.

“What if Hanuma Vihari fails in two Test matches against West Indies? Though I would never wish something like that for any player. I wish him (Vihari) all the very best.

“(In case Vihari is not able to deliver) so you will go back to Nair but will he be battle ready with confidence for Australia tour?”

Harbhajan believes that the Karnataka batsman, Nair has failed to win the confidence of the team management as he didn’t get a chance in any match.

“If team management did not play Karun for five Tests, then it means that he couldn’t inspire confidence in them.

“Well, my question is whether the selectors were able to convince the captain while naming Karun for England series? If not did they seriously consider the name that team management had in mind,” he questioned.

It doesn’t make any sense to drop Karun Nair as he didn’t play any match. Therefore, he could not be judged on any kind of performance as he warmed the benches. Hence, the selectors have been harsh on him.