Former Indian chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth has slammed the all-rounder Washington Sundar’s selection for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to start on Sunday, September 13, in Delhi.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth questioned the Indian selection committee for including the all-rounder despite not playing any competitive match after being declared fit by the Center of Excellence (CoE).
“He is good in Tests but didn’t play in Sri Lanka. How is he fit now in two weeks? He has not proved his match-fitness so what is the use? You must play some matches at some level to show your fitness before being picked for India. You can’t just play with a doctor’s certificate. Washington Sundar seems to be injured after every two or three series,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
On the other hand, Sundar hasn’t picked up a wicket in four T20Is he has played this year. With the willow, he could score only 25 runs. While he has been selected for the Afghanistan series, his inclusion is subject to fitness clearance.
“He was smashed in Ireland and England. He started his cricket from the T20 format. He moved brilliantly to Test cricket, but he has lost his rhythm in white-ball cricket,” he added.
Further, the former Indian selector also reckoned that Nitish Kumar Reddy should get his place in the XI ahead of Shivam Dube if the former gets fit for the forthcoming three-match T20I series. Notably, Reddy injured his quadriceps during the Afghanistan ODI series at home earlier this year.
“If Nitish Kumar Reddy proves his match-fitness, I’ll go with him over Dube. But now there is no time for him to prove his match-fitness. What match can he play now before the Afghanistan series? It’s always better to prove your fitness by playing a match over a doctor’s certificate. Anyone can get a doctor’s certificate like we used to for leaves in school,” he added.
