Indian cricket team in action against South Africa© Agence France-Presse
Aakash Chopra, former opener of the Indian cricket team, believes that the team management has been “too happy” when it comes to selecting players for ODIs and, in some cases, they have selected players too early depending on recent performances. Chopra was responding to a social media post saying India has given 21 ODI debutants to cricketers so far since 2011. The latest addition was Sai Sudharsan who played his debut during the ODI match against South Africa on Sunday.
Chopra pointed out that while the statistic may indicate a depth of talent when it comes to the Indian cricket team, it also shows that selectors have not stuck with players for long.
“21 ODI debutants as well. It’s nice to claim depth of talent but so many players getting caps for India in such a short time can’t be true. It only highlights two things – picking players so early …and it sparks happiness while landing them and moving in a different direction,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, India’s bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan ran riot as the KL Rahul-led visitors thrashed South Africa by eight wickets in the inaugural One-Day International.
On a wicket offering pace and bounce to the quicks, Avesh returned figures of 4 for 27 in eight overs, while left-arm spinner Arshdeep had excellent figures of 5 for 37 in 10 overs as the Proteas were dismissed for 116 in a paltry 27.3 overs. .
Sai Sudharsan (55 not out) and Shreyas Iyer (52) hit fine half-centuries to chase down the target in 16.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.
India and South Africa handed maiden ODIs to 22-year-old bowler B Sai Sudharsan and all-rounder Nandre Burger respectively.
(with PTI inputs)
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