Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced his concern about the preferential treatment of players in the Indian team. He addressed that while some players are handed a good chance, some have been void of adequate chances despite being fine-quality players.
After much delay, the Indian Men’s Selection Committee revealed the ODI squad for the series against New Zealand starting on the 11th of January in Vadodara. The team did not meet its commitments, as Ruturaj Gaikwad was snubbed despite a splendid century in his last international appearance and the continuation of form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Also, the likes of Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, who were up for the backup wicket-keeper spot in ODIs, were not welcomed on board, and Rishabh Pant continued as India’s second keeper in the side. Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has his own version of complaints as well as explanations on India’s choices for the series.
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“There should be no preferential treatment,” Ravichandran Ashwin’s ultimatum to Indian selectors
The former Indian spinner feels that, considering the amount of talent India possesses, it becomes impossible for the selectors to provide clarity to all players about their position in the Indian team, which is understandable.
“Giving clarity is very difficult in Indian cricket. People will not agree with this. Take an example, if I tell Sanju that he is in the T20 side and we are not considering him for ODI and Tests. Let’s say he then goes in a Vijay Hazare game and makes a double hundred.”
“I don’t like differential treatment for different players. Every player’s self-respect is no less than that of any other player,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat.’
However, Ravichandran Ashwin seems offended by the fact that some players are provided with additional opportunities while some aren’t. The former spinner has reckoned that this preferential treatment is unfair.
“There should be no preferential treatment. But unfortunately, we live in a world where some players get extra chances. I would love to see Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad all get that treatment too because these are fabulous players,” he added.
Ravichandran Ashwin cites growing insecurity among Indian players
Ravichandran Ashwin concluded that Indian management should give the players a sense of stability, as too many rotations and irregularities within the team can affect the morale of the players and also induce a sense of insecurity within them. If players are insecure about their spots, they would not be able to give their very best on the field, feels Ashwin.
“Whoever performs in the IPL goes ahead. It is very difficult for the selectors. But if you want to win tournaments, as management, you need to give stability to players. How you give it is totally up to you,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.
“I would really think that a player would like some stability, and they should look at this. If you rotate so much, a player will have insecurity. Thought has to go into this. As long as the team is winning, all this will go under the carpet. When they don’t, all this will come out again,” he said.
Indian selectors gunned down after ODI squad announcement for NZ series
India will be up for two major ICC tournaments next: the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. To bring out the best of their players from the two tournaments, India need to settle on a squad and play as many series with them as possible before the World Cup.
However, the much-criticised Indian Men’s selection committee has once again been slammed after the announcement of the ODI squad for the New Zealand series. Masses have questioned the snub of Ruturaj Gaikwad and have also found both Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s selections unreasonable.
Mohammad Siraj has made his way back into the ODI team; however, Mohammad Shami, the veteran pacer, once again was snubbed despite a promising show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal.
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