Chopra also questioned the selectors for not including Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja in the entire tour lineup. India will face Sri Lanka in three T20Is and three ODIs starting in Pallekele on July 27.
On Thursday, the selectors announced the 15-member squads for both legs of the tour.In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted his concerns about some significant omissions.”Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out in both formats. What did Ruturaj Gaikwad do that his name hasn’t come? Six months ago, you were worthy of becoming the captain of a team, a team that had Shubman Gill who wasn’t playing, but Shubman has become the vice-captain now and Ruturaj is not even part of the team, neither in T20Is nor in ODIs. Is that right?” Chopra said in the video.
Chopra raised questions about the rationale behind Gaikwad’s exclusion, considering his recent potential and leadership qualities.
“It’s the same thing, the coach was someone else and the selection committee might have been different. They might have done something but now they are looking for change. I really hope that it’s being communicated that he is being looked at for T20Is and will be considered for ODIs because, otherwise, Ruturaj Gaikwad, like Sanju Samson, will be very aggrieved. He might be feeling that he has been wronged,” Chopra elaborated.
Chopra also expressed curiosity about the selectors’ vision, particularly regarding Chahal and Jadeja’s absence.
“Yuzi Chahal also comes to mind. You were just now part of the World Cup. After that, you are nowhere. Ravindra Jadeja is also not part of ODI cricket. What’s happening there? He has himself retired from T20Is but would have been available in ODIs. If he is available and is not being played despite that, have Team India started looking in some other direction?” he said.
