The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday (19 Feb) announced India’s squad for the remaining two Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 as well as the three-match ODI series. While there were no major changes made to the Test squad, the ODI squad also had similar faces except for Jaydev Unadkat who got a recall after ten years. However, there was a subtle change to the Test squad.
KL Rahul, who has been under the pump for underperforming in the first two Tests, was retained in the squad but he was removed from the vice-captain position. This gave an indication that Rahul may be benched in case he fails again. Also, the selectors refrained from naming anyone as the new vice-captain in Tests. Instead, they have asked Rohit Sharma to decide on the name.
“It was decided not to name any vice-captain. Instead, the power was given to Rohit Sharma. Who will lead the side in case he has to leave the field is Rohit Sharma’s call,” a source was quoted saying by the Indian Express.
Notably, the senior selection committee members flew from Kolkata, where they were watching the Ranji Trophy final, to Delhi to pick the team for the third and fourth Test matches. After Chetan Sharma, the chairman of selectors resigned post the sting operation, the meeting was chaired by former India opener SS Das.
Coming back to Rahul, the India opener is receiving a lot of flak for his consistent failures. But more than Rahul, it’s the Indian management comprising captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid which is being questioned for their constant support to the batter. However, the two seem to care nothing about those critics as they said they will continue to back Rahul.
“I think he needs to trust his processes. This is just a phase, he has been one of our most successful overseas openers. He’s got hundreds in South Africa and England, we’ll continue to back him,” Dravid said to the official broadcaster after the conclusion of the 2nd Test.
