5 Indian players missing from the Zimbabwe tour squad

While it is always heartening to see youth get a chance on the international stage, there is almost always collateral damage. The Indian players who miss out, at times are the most deserving of the players. While everyone believes in the selectors infinite wisdom, it is at times depressing to see those who were withheld without getting a chance. That said, here are five players who are missing from the Indian squad, for the limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe and Test series against West Indies. 1. Krunal Pandya: Krunal Pandya. (Photo Source: BCCI) Although he may not have the swagger or confidence or perhaps even the aggression of his brother, Krunal Pandya was clearly the force behind the Mumbai Indians’ campaign this season. The explosive southpaw even ensured that he became the more preferred Pandya between himself and brother Hardik. Towards the end, Hardik eventually began to receive lesser chances as Krunal was the name on the lips of one and all. His ability to bowl the wicket-taking delivery has also seen him become an important part of the squad. It remains to be seen whether he does ever get the chance at the international level anytime soon or not. Also read – When the Indian selectors got it all wrong 2. Yusuf Pathan: Yusuf Pathan. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yusuf Pathan’s unprecedented surge in the latter stages of the IPL reminded one and all that he still had the fire burning in his belly. Once an important part of MS Dhoni’s squad, Pathan’s career faded with the emergence of players like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. However, his ability to open the batting coupled with his ability to play the big shots saw him enter the fray of the national selectors. However, he was left out of the squad with the selectors going in favor of the younger players in the squad. 3. Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: Twitter) Although Shreyas Iyer has had a torrid IPL season with the Delhi Daredevils, his form in the Ranji Trophy was simply phenomenal. He toyed with the bowlers and even smashed a century in the Irani cup match against the Rest of the India. Heavily tipped to don the Indian cricketing colors, Shreyas Iyer was shockingly omitted from the squad to Zimbabwe as well as the squad to the West Indies. Was this because of the form in the IPL? Then how do you justify the selection of Shardul Thakur? Food for thought. 4. Harbhajan Singh: Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI) One of India’s most successful spinners, Harbhajan Singh was a part of the side that reached the semi-final of the recently concluded World T20. In addition, Harbhajan was also an integral member of the Mumbai Indians squad that finished fifth in the final IPL standings. Apart from bringing his bowling and swashbuckling batting prowess to the table, Bhajji boasts of unbridled experience. It is indeed shocking to see his name omitted with the reason being similar to that of the omission of Yusuf Pathan. 5. Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: BCCI) Suresh Raina captained the Gujarat Lions to the top of the table. However, he has been left out of the ODI squad. Mind you, these ODIs and T20Is in Zimbabwe will be the only limited overs’ action the Men in Blue will get before their laborious 17-match Test campaign. While this was the justification used to select India skipper MS Dhoni, the same must certainly apply to the 29-year old Raina. With the latter not named in either of the squads, a massive chunk of domestic cricket looms large for the southpaw.

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5 Indian players missing from the Zimbabwe tour squad

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