Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped a bomb on October 26 by dropping MS Dhoni from the T20I series against Windies and Australia. Before everyone could recover from Dhoni’s exclusion, BCCI also announced that Kedar Jadhav will be back to the ODI squad for the 4th and 5th ODI against Windies.
To be clear, it was not Jadhav’s inclusion that people were worried about, it was the way he was brought back into the side. To understand it better, let’s back it up a little.
Jadhav pulled his hamstring during the Asia Cup 2018 final against Bangladesh. He was phenomenal with both bat and ball finishing off the match with a last-ball boundary. There were no questions as far as his form was concerned, only about his fitness.
But he was cleared by National Cricket Academy (NCA) and played Deodhar Trophy. His rehabilitation went well and even scored a 25-ball 41 for India A on October 25. Then came the news of the squad selected for the rest of the ODI series against Windies.
India were back to full strength after an eye opener tie in the second ODI. Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar were recalled but Jadhav’s name was missing. BCCI Chief selector MSK Prasad had a subtle explanation to the 33-year-old’s exclusion. “We did not pick Kedar because of his history of fitness,” he told PTI.
Lack of communication between BCCI and Jadhav led to confusion. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player was clueless as the squad was announced. Post Deodhar Trophy clash he said in the press conference,
“Rehabilitation was good. Everything’s fine as of now. I cleared all the fitness tests; I was cleared match fit, which is why I was playing here. I didn’t know (he was not selected). Obviously, I have to see why they have not picked me.”
He even started gearing up for the Ranji Trophy matches but then he was included for the rest of the ODIs. Here are a few reactions on Twitter which sums up what Indian cricketer fans felt about the whole episode:
What is going on? Once you don’t take him in the squad without any reason. Then as he complains, you add him next day. Are you really the selectors for this Indian team?
— Soumya Sarkar (@SarkarSpeaking) October 26, 2018
Exactly
@BCCI is in turmoil with its selection incharges. #mskprasad today said ‘@JadhavKedar is out due to fitness issues, and here he is back again in team. No fault of player, but of thinking top heads. May God save this organization and show them right path.
— SB07 (@sambajaj) October 26, 2018
Shots fired!
Msk prasad was neither a consistent performer nor is he consistent selector. Should be fired immediately!
— BABUA ji (@babuachep) October 26, 2018
Makes us wonder
MSK Prasad said last night that Kedar Jadhav wasn’t picked for third ODI because of his ‘fitness history.’ What has he seen in the next 20 hours then to decide he can be drafted into the squad for the 4th and 5th ODIs? Absurd.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) October 26, 2018
Direct it to BCCI
Mayank Agarwal gets dropped without getting a game.
Rohit, Vijay, Parthiv back in Test squad.
Kedar Jadhav added for final two WI ODIs after some drama (being left out initially).#INDvsWI #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/tXIeECu0Lz
— Chinmay Jawalekar (@CricfreakTweets) October 26, 2018
Because they had to
@BCCI and selection committee has turned out to be a joke off late. 1st they dropped Kedar Jadhav from Odi squad against WI and once he started asking why they included him back. Spineless.
— Bhabani Lenka (@bhabani_lenka) October 27, 2018
This has to be the funniest, yet hard-hitting
Kedar Jadhav ko team me shaamil karne ki koshish karte huye selectors!#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/KvLBhl7aw9
— Spidey (@indianspidey1) October 27, 2018
Kedar Jadhav’s late selection is comical
— Parth Baxi (@BaxiParth) October 26, 2018
At least he woke up
Msk Prasad slept while selecting the team so he woke up and selected jadhav for 4th and 5th odis #indvswi
— David (@Davidkoilpillai) October 26, 2018
Keeping us entertained on non-game days
Selectors r doing hilarious job…. No logic
— CRICVIEW Media©️ (@cricviewmedia) October 26, 2018
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