Syed Kirmani Takes a Subtle Dig at Selection Committee

The two supergiants England and India are all set for the most-awaited five-matches Test series. Both top-notch teams will lock horns with each other in the first Test match scheduled on August 1 at Edgbaston. Interestingly, former Indian gloveman Syed Kirmani believes the ‘inexperience’ of selection team has further enforced the part-time wicketkeepers into the game.

Pertinently, bagging the award of the best gloveman in 1983 World Cup, Kirmani reiterated that it reduces the quality in general context.

Services of Wriddhiman Saha:

India will be missing the services of their regular Test wicketkeeper-batsman, Wriddhiman Saha due to his shoulder injury. He later injured his thumb while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Indian Premier League.

The West Bengal-based Saha is set to undergo surgery at Manchester in the United Kingdom (UK) soon.

Saha ahead of others:

After a long stint from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Indian selectors got enough time to find his successor. Saha nudged ahead of Naman Ojha due to his skills behind the wickets.

When it comes to wickets, Saha is far better than both Ojha and Dinesh Karthik because of his classic approach and art behind the wickets.

Evolution in the selection of wicketkeepers:

The selection of wicket=keeping also went through the process of evolution. Whether Quinton de Kock or Jonny Bairstow, both are considered as best in the business due to their performance with the bat.

This evolution is not limited to the particular trait between two cricketing nations as India is also involved in the same state.

The injury of Saha has exposed narrow-minded vision of Indian selectors. Indian Team again has to rely on Dinesh Karthik and his backup option Rishabh Pant for most pivotal series.

The arrival of MS Dhoni:

Interestingly, both the wicketkeepers were discarded following the selection of Ranchi-based veteran Dhoni.

In a crucial year of Test tours, India has already fielded three wicketkeepers in the space of four Tests since January this year.

If it could not have been bad enough, Rishabh Pant may not have got a Test call at the first instinct.

View of Syed Kirmani:

Kirmani, the World Cup winner wicketkeeper feels that competition is taking score on quality.

“You miss out on one or two innings and you are out of the team. They are making all batsmen makeshift wicketkeepers. Unfortunately, that is how the selection team is thinking. It reflects on their inexperience,” Kirmani, also a former chief selector, said from Bangalore.