“Ajit Agarkar Reveals Selectors Wanted Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for England, Shares Candid Insight on Efforts”
Ajit Agarkar, BCCI’s chief selector, recognized the void left by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s experience in India’s England Test series. Ajit Agarkar Reflects on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test Retirements BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar revealed that the panel would have preferred Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India’s Test squad for the high-profile England series earlier this year. However, both veterans had already decided to step away from the format. Addressing speculation around their sudden retirements, especially after Rohit had expressed excitement about the England series weeks prior, Agarkar said, “Both of them have been stalwarts of Indian cricket. They both approached… they felt it was a new WTC cycle and, whatever people might think or not think, that is the reality. I think both were very aware — perhaps they may not have gone for those two years as Test players for the WTC cycle.” During India’s five-match Test tour of England, the team rebounded from an opening defeat to draw the series 2-2 under young captain Shubman Gill, who scored over 750 runs in five Tests. While the performances were lauded, Ajit Agarkar admitted that Kohli and Rohit’s experience was missed in critical moments. “England was a series where we would have loved some experience, yes, frankly,” he acknowledged. “Performance was incredible, even though we didn’t win. Under a young captain, which was always going to be difficult, but we would have liked some experience.” Ajit Agarkar on Veteran Retirements and Team Transition BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed questions about India’s veteran players and their recent retirements, stopping short of confirming whether the selection panel had tried to convince them to delay stepping away. “Whether we tried to talk them into playing, I’ll keep it to myself,” Agarkar remarked. When asked about Rohit Sharma’s social media post just 15 days before his retirement, expressing excitement for the England series, Agarkar dismissed speculation. “I didn’t read his social media,” he said. “I usually talk to the player. So no. But I think you’ve got to focus on the team that played in England… I don’t think anyone gave us a chance with that team. So why not focus on the performances the current players are doing, rather than guys who’ve retired — as good as players that they’ve been — they’re no longer part of the Test team.” Agarkar also reflected on the natural evolution of the squad and the challenges of transition in Indian cricket, especially involving iconic players. “It’s not the first time that a senior player has retired or has been left out or has walked away from the game. Well, we’ve had one guy who played 200 Test matches who’s not playing anymore. That’s the nature of sport; transition is natural. It has to be in the interest of the team and that is our job and our responsibility. We may not get it right all the time, but the intentions are always right.” Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar তিরস্কার করলেন India’s Asia Cup squad ‘এক্স-ফ্যাক্টর’ উপেক্ষা করার জন্য: ‘দল আরও শক্তিশালী হতো’
Harbhajan Singh উল্লেখ করেছেন যে এই রাইট-আর্ম পেসার অসাধারণ ফর্মে আছে, এবং তাকে না বেছে নেওয়ায় নির্বাচকরা তার “এক্স-ফ্যাক্টর” হারিয়েছেন। মোহাম্মদ সিরাজকে এশিয়া কাপ দলে না রাখায় Harbhajan Singh অসন্তোষ ভারতের অভিজ্ঞ স্পিনার Harbhajan Singh একেবারেই খুশি নন নির্বাচকদের সিদ্ধান্তে, যেখানে দুর্দান্ত ইংল্যান্ড সফরের পরও মোহাম্মদ সিরাজকে এশিয়া কাপ ২০২৫–এর জন্য উপেক্ষা করা হয়েছে। পাঁচ ম্যাচের টেস্ট সিরিজে ২৩ উইকেট নিয়ে সিরাজ ছিলেন ভারতের সেরা বোলার। এজবাস্টন ও দ্য ওভালে ভারতের জয়ে তিনি ছিলেন মূল পার্থক্য গড়া ক্রিকেটার। তবুও নির্বাচকরা বহুজাতিক টুর্নামেন্টের জন্য তিন প্রধান পেসার হিসেবে জসপ্রিত বুমরাহ, অর্শদীপ সিং এবং হর্ষিত রণাকে বেছে নিয়েছেন। প্রসিদ্ধ কৃষ্ণাকে রাখা হয়েছে রিজার্ভে। সিরাজের শেষ টি-২০ আন্তর্জাতিক ম্যাচ ছিল ২০২৪ টি-২০ বিশ্বকাপে। ভারতের শিরোপাজয়ের পর থেকে তাকে আর সংক্ষিপ্ত ফরম্যাটের পরিকল্পনায় রাখা হয়নি। নতুন কোচ গৌতম গম্ভীরের অধীনে সিরাজকে আর টি-২০ ভাবনায় নেওয়া হয়নি। Harbhajan Singh উল্লেখ করেন, দুর্দান্ত ফর্মে থাকা সিরাজকে না বেছে নির্বাচকরা তার “এক্স-ফ্যাক্টর” হারিয়েছেন। তিনি বলেন, “আমার মনে হয় সিরাজের নামও অন্তর্ভুক্ত করা উচিত ছিল। সাম্প্রতিক সিরিজে সে খুব ভালো বল করেছে। হ্যাঁ, সে ইংল্যান্ডে অনেক ওভার করেছে, কিন্তু যথেষ্ট বিশ্রামও পেয়েছে। তাই তাকে নেওয়া যেত। যদি সিরাজকে রাখা হতো, দল আরও শক্তিশালী দেখাতো। বোলিং ইউনিট আরও ভয়ঙ্কর মনে হতো। আমি মনে করি সিরাজ যে এক্স-ফ্যাক্টর নিয়ে আসে, সেটা কিছুটা মিস করা হবে।” “শ্রেয়াস আয়ারের নামও থাকতে পারত” সাবেক স্পিনার শ্রেয়াস আয়ারের বাদ পড়ার বিষয়েও মন্তব্য করেছেন, উল্লেখ করে যে ৩০ বছর বয়সী এই ব্যাটসম্যান তার টি-২০ আন্তর্জাতিক পুনরায় অন্তর্ভুক্তির জন্য সবকিছুই করেছে, এবং তাকে বাদ দেওয়ার সিদ্ধান্ত তার কাছে চমকপ্রদ ছিল। তিনি বলেন, “আমি আশা করেছিলাম সে (শ্রেয়াস আয়ার) দলে সুযোগ পাবে। সে অনেক রান করেছে, আইপিএল ফাইনালে খেলেছে এবং খুব ভালো ফর্মে ছিল। আমি ভাবছিলাম তার নামও থাকতে পারত। কোথায় তাকে রাখা হতো, সেটা দেখতে হবে। যখন কাউকে অন্তর্ভুক্ত বা বাদ দিতে হয়, একটি স্থান তৈরি হয়। কিন্তু আমি শ্রেয়াস আয়ারের নাম সেখানে দেখিনি, যা আমাকে কিছুটা বিস্মিত করেছে।” Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar at Odds Over ‘Selection’ in Heated Team Debate: Report
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has sparked concern among some experts with his experiments in the team’s middle-order ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. While India’s 3-0 ODI series sweep against England boosts confidence for the upcoming tournament, and with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli showing signs of a return to form, the Indian team management can feel relieved. However, certain aspects of the team still raise doubts for some experts, especially the lack of clarity regarding India’s middle-order. A report has suggested that Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are at odds over the selection of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, leading to heated discussions within the team. Confusion in Team Management Over Wicketkeeper and Iyer’s Spot When India’s preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy was announced, Agarkar had labeled Rishabh Pant as the No. 1 wicketkeeper in the team. However, Pant did not play a single ODI against England. Following the series, head coach Gambhir stated that KL Rahul is India’s No. 1 wicketkeeper in ODIs. These conflicting statements from two key members of the management have raised questions. “Ultimately, it’s very difficult to talk about individuals, but all I can say is that if Pant is part of the squad, he will get an opportunity. But at the moment, KL is our number one wicketkeeper, and he’s delivered for us. When you have two wicketkeepers in the squad, you can’t play both with the kind of quality we’ve got. Hopefully, when Pant gets an opportunity, he’ll be ready for it,” Gambhir explained after the ODI series. Meanwhile, in the first ODI against England, the team had planned to keep Shreyas Iyer on the bench, giving Yashasvi Jaiswal a chance at the top. However, an injury to Virat Kohli forced Iyer to play at No. 3, where he scored a fiery half-century. Since then, Iyer has been a regular in the lineup for the remaining two matches. Yet, there seems to be some inconsistency in the management’s approach toward Iyer’s spot as well. In a conversation with the Times of India, former selector Devang Gandhi praised India’s coach Gautam Gambhir for successfully guiding the team through a period of transition. However, he also emphasized the need for more consistency in the middle-order selection. “Gambhir deserves credit for working with a team in transition. Under his guidance, India has regained dominance in ODIs, similar to the form they displayed from 2016-2019. What the selectors and Gambhir need to focus on now is maintaining consistency in the middle order,” Gandhi shared with TOI. “Back then, the batting was primarily driven by the top three – Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli. The issue arose when the middle order wasn’t given enough time to settle in, leaving them uncertain of their roles. When the top order faltered in crucial matches, the rest of the batting line-up seemed clueless. Hopefully, that won’t happen this time. If they have identified Axar as the No. 5 batter, they must commit to giving him a consistent run in that role. Axar has performed well, but the management needs to decide if he can be a long-term solution who can anchor and dominate innings until the 2027 World Cup in South Africa,” Gandhi explained. Referring to the recent ODIs against England, Gandhi noted that India’s management promoted bowling all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya for two of the three matches, a move that raised eyebrows. Gandhi also questioned the decision to bench Shreyas Iyer, even though it was not executed, stating it didn’t make sense. “The decision to bench Iyer at the start of the series was baffling, given that he has been outstanding in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Moreover, India has played very few ODIs since the World Cup,” Gandhi concluded. Welcome to E2Bet! Play exciting games and experience endless fun!