India squad WI series: After just one innings, the Selectors have pulled the plug on Suryakumar Yadav’s Test dream. Viewed as one of the middle-order alternatives, SKY was expected to get a longer run after time on the bench. However, the selectors have backed Ajinkya Rahane for the IND vs WI Tests, while Surya returns to the Duleep Trophy with West Zone.
Also Read: IPL trumps Ranji? India Test Reboot raises more questions than answers
Suryakumar Yadav made his Test debut in the Nagpur Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. He was then dropped to the bench after Shreyas Iyer returned to the side. Now with Iyer set for a long spell on the sidelines, Surya was expected to get chances to cement his place in the side. Instead, the selectors have gone back to veteran Ajinkya Rahane.
Rahane shut the door on Suryakumar’s Test hopes, with scores of 89 and 46 in the WTC Final. With Cheteshwar Pujara axed, Rahane was re-instated as vice-captain. Surya meanwhile returns to West Zone for the Duleep Trophy starting on July 28.
The 31-year-old’s case is not a peculiar one. The selectors in the recent past have been guilty of inconsistency in selection. Surya who travelled to England as a reserve for the WTC final missed the bus. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal made the team, alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was earlier called up for the Bangladesh tour, misses out.
Unlike Pujara, Surya still has time on his hands. But with the selectors preferring youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, India’s Mr 360 has hit task cut out. He will make the trip to Barbados later after being named in the IND vs WI ODI squad. His numbers in the 50-over format are dwindling, but Rahul Dravid and Co have backed him to turn up in his best avatar. The Duleep Trophy should be complete (July 16) by the time the ODI series starts in West Indies on July 27.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow IND vs WI Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Editors pick
