There appears to be unrest within the Indian men’s cricket team’s selection committee, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly unhappy with the conduct of two fellow selectors.
Besides Agarkar, the selection panel comprises Pragyan Ojha, RP Singh, Shiv Sundar Das and Ajay Ratra.
Sources told Dainik Jagran that Gambhir and Agarkar are unhappy with two members of the selection committee for allegedly being “more active than required”. The two selectors are believed to have been trying to convince senior BCCI officials that the selection process has improved since their appointment.
Sources further revealed that the same selectors have also been attempting to distance themselves from the criticism surrounding India’s recent T20I slump. India have lost six of their last seven T20Is, just months after lifting the T20 World Cup.
Another point of disagreement within the selection panel was Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Dainik Jagran understands that Agarkar and the other selectors were not on the same page over the decision to leave Samson out.
The Zimbabwe tour is scheduled to start from July 23 where the Shreyas Iyer-led side will play three T20Is.
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No Rift Between Gambhir And Agarkar
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recently suggested that Gambhir and Agarkar may have differences over the team’s direction.
“A bit of friction between the chief selector and head coach. I feel Agarkar has long-term plans, and the current coach is saying, ‘You know, I want to win every game I play.’ Hence, the confusion we see unfolding before us. Is it ideal for the players? Definitely not,” Karthik said on Sky Sports Cricket.
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India are currently in England for a three-match ODI series. The visitors have already taken a 1-0 lead after registering a comfortable six-wicket victory in the opening match. The second ODI will take place on July 16 in Cardiff.