In the wake of the controversy surrounding the axing of Murali Vijay and Karun Nair from the squad of the India-West Indies Test series, former wicketkeeper and ex-chief selector Syed Kirmani said that the current selection committee is not experienced enough to question the decisions of captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri.
Vijay and Nair had claimed that the M.S.K. Prasad-led committee did not speak to them before or after dropping them. Prasad, however, had dismissed the claims saying both were informed.
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"If you ask me, Ravi Shastri is the main selector, being the coach. He along with captain and senior members will discuss and put it [what they want] across to the selection committee," said Kirmani, when asked about the selection row.
"The current selection committee, with due respect, is inexperienced to these guys [Shastri and Kohli]. And they better listen to what the team management wants because they cannot debate with Shastri and Kohli, who have much more experience," said the veteran of 88 Tests.
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Kirmani has a point. While chief selector Prasad played six Tests and 17 ODIs, Sarandeep Singh played 3 Tests and 5 ODIs, Devang Gandhi 4 Tests and 3 ODIs, Jatin Paranjpe 4 ODIs and Gagan Khoda 2 ODIs.
Nair, who is India's only second triple centurion in Test cricket after Virender Sehwag, warmed the benches during the five Tests against England, which India lost 4-1. Vijay was also dropped from the team after the first two Tests.
(With PTI inputs)