Subramaniam Badrinath criticizes Team India’s T20I selection after England setback

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Team India’s disappointing run in T20I cricket has continued to attract criticism following back-to-back series defeats against Ireland and England. The Men in Blue endured a difficult tour, suffering a 0-2 defeat against Ireland before being whitewashed 0-4 by England, raising several questions over the team’s selection strategy and overall performances.

Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath has now weighed in on the issue, expressing concerns over one particular selection while insisting that the team cannot hide behind excuses after such disappointing results. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter also urged the players to take greater responsibility while representing the national side.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cric it with Badri, Badrinath questioned the inclusion of young all-rounder Suryansh Shedge in India’s T20I squad. The youngster, who represents Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL and Mumbai in domestic cricket, managed only eight runs in two matches and failed to pick up a wicket during the tour.

Badrinath suggested that the selection appeared to reflect captain Shreyas Iyer’s influence and said the skipper should also accept responsibility for the team’s results. He further claimed that Shedge had not done enough in T20 cricket to earn a place ahead of several experienced performers.

“This looks like a Shreyas selection. Shreyas clearly has a say in selection, evidenced by this. So he has to take responsibility for results even if he’s new to captaincy. He has been very poor as captain. The selection of Suryansh Shedge makes you question Shreyas. Shedge plays for PBKS and Mumbai and he hasn’t done much in his T20 career. He has also not done something great in T20s. Because of Mumbai and Punjab Kings, he gets a chance straight into the Indian team ahead of many other cricketers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” Badrinath said.

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Apart from questioning the selection, Badrinath also dismissed suggestions that the players were affected by IPL fatigue or a packed schedule. He said representing India is a privilege and players must be prepared to deliver regardless of the workload. The former batter admitted he was surprised by India’s poor performances despite the country’s strong domestic structure and the standard of the IPL.

“I won’t accept excuses like IPL hangover and body tiredness. These are things those that work for daily wages can say. A high-level Indian professional cricketer can’t say these. If so, then sit at home and don’t play cricket. You are carrying the expectations of a billion people and it’s a privilege to play for India. It’s not a right so you cannot give these excuses. I am shocked by these results as we have the best T20 tournament in the world in the IPL, which breeds talent. The BCCI also provide the Indian cricketers with the best of things. So when you go and perform like this, questions must and will be asked,” he added.

Following the disappointing T20I tour, Team India will now shift their focus to the ODI format, with a three-match series against England beginning on July 14.

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