Former BCCI chief selector Saba Karim commented on Ajinkya Rahane‘s re-appointment as Test vice-captain, stating that Ravindra Jadeja or Shubman Gill would have been superior candidates.
Notably, after a very poor run of form, the veteran batsman was dropped from India’s red-ball squad. However, on his return in the World Test Championship final against Australia, the 35-year-old played some brilliant cricket that not only seemed to have secured his place in the playing XI, but has also earned him the position of vice-captain in India’s longest format.
As Jadeja is currently representing the national team in all three formats, according to Saba Karim, he is more qualified to assume the position.
The former Indian cricketer added that Shubman Gill, who is considered to be the next great thing in Indian cricket, could have been one of the exciting options.
“I have no idea why nobody ever mentions Ravindra Jadeja. He is a fixture in all formats for India, and he has also made significant contributions to India’s Test success. So why has he never been mentioned as a leader? He is irreplaceable for the national team in all three formats, and he is equally capable of commanding the national team. Or, if not him, Shubman Gill, if the Indian selectors believe he is the future. I am simply stating that there are candidates,” Karim told Sportskeeda.
Why, when selecting young players, would you appoint Ajinkya Rahane vice-captain?
Notably, Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav were omitted from India’s red-ball squad travelling to the West Indies for a two-match Test series. Youngsters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Mukesh Kumar have been given a chance; consequently, Karim lashed out at selectors and questioned the significance of Rahane’s selection, as the cricketer had been out for a considerable amount of time.
“I have no idea why nobody ever mentions Ravindra Jadeja. He is a mainstay in all formats for India, and he has also made significant contributions to India’s test success. So why has he never been mentioned as a leader? He is irreplaceable for the national team in all three formats, and he is equally capable of commanding the national team. Or, if not him, Shubman Gill, if the Indian selectors believe he is the future. I am merely stating that there are candidates,” Saba Karim continued.
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