Had told Rahane, Pujara, Ishant, Saha they won't be considered for Sri Lanka series: Chetan Sharma

BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma stated on February 19 (Saturday) that the decision to not consider seniors Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma for the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka was taken “after much deliberation”.

However, Sharma added that “doors are absolutely open for them” and that them fetching the axe should be not in any way comprehended as the end of the road.

“The selectors took the decision after much deliberation. We have spoken to them soon after the South Africa series, we told them that we will not consider them for the two Test matches against Sri Lanka and the doors are absolutely open for them. There is absolutely no problem. We told them to go and play the Ranji Trophy,” he told the media while announcing India’s squad for the Sri Lanka series.

The writing was seemingly on the walls for the senior duo of Rahane and Pujara, who were both in the midst of constant scrutiny owing to their declining returns in the longest format.

Rahane, whose last century was the 112 at MCG against Australia in 2020-21, averaged below 21 in Tests in 2021, while he had a forgettable South Africa tour in 2022, averaging 17 in two Tests. Pujara’s numbers, albeit slightly better than Rahane’s (he averaged a touch over 28 in 2021) were not convincing either, even as he sporadically notched up a performance of note here and there in the said period. Pujara last scored a century in January 2019 in Sydney. Meanwhile, it is not the end for them, Sharma confirmed.

“We are nobody to close doors on anyone. This is a game of cricket where you have to score runs, pick up wickets and then you can play for the country. That’s the most important aspect. When we decide to give a break to a player, we make it a point to give them a period. I have requested all four of them to play Ranji Trophy. The selectors are giving a lot of attention to domestic cricket and Ranji Trophy. The tournament is happening after a long while, so we thought it would be good if they go back there and perform.”

On front of performance, Rahane got back amongst the runs with a century against Saurashtra, although Pujara bagged a four-ball duck to extend his rut. Saha, meanwhile, has given the tournament a miss due to personal reasons.

Rohit is the No.1 cricketer of our country: Chetan Sharma

Sharma also conveyed a key decision taken by the BCCI top brass, announcing Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain only months after he took over the white-ball captaincy in the aftermath of Virat Kohli’s decision to relinquish T20I captaincy before also being handed the ODI leadership responsibility. Kohli also made the Test skipper spot vacant as he stepped down following the team’s 1-2 loss against South Africa away.

The recent decision means Rohit, who was not captaining India in any format until the end of the T20 World Cup in UAE in November last year, is the all-format captain by February 2022. Chetan Sharma branded him as India’s “No. 1 player” and reckoned that the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be groomed under Rohit as future captains.

“Rohit is the No.1 cricketer of our country. He’s absolutely fit and fine. The grooming becomes easy when a big player like him becomes a captain. Bumrah, KL Rahul, Pant to be groomed as future captains under Rohit Sharma,” he said.