No discussion on Yuvraj Singh, says Sandeep Patil
Yuvraj Singh had an ordinary IPL stint with the Delhi Daredevils. (Source: Express File)
National chief selector Sandeep Patil, in a break from the recent practice of not speaking to the media after a team is picked, took questions on the upcoming Bangladesh tour on Wednesday. Excerpts
On resting players
No players approached either the BCCI or me asking for rest. Only Mohammed Shami was not considered because he is not fit. Everybody reported except Shami, who is recovering, he will be available after 4 weeks.
On picking Harbhajan
I think Harbhajan Singh was discussed in our earlier meetings also. Particularly, regarding this Bangladesh tour, the selection committee, and I am speaking on the behalf of the selection committee, Harbhajan has picked considering the number of left-handers in the Bangladesh team because we felt that a second off-spinner was needed. We also had a long discussion with captain Virat Kohli and then the decision was taken.
On Harbhajan’s ODI future
We recently returned from the World Cup where the Indian team performed quite well. So it is not the right time to chop and change. Whenever needed in the future, if fitness is the issue, then we will think about that (including Harbhajan) too.
On Yuvraj Singh
There was no discussion on Yuvraj Singh. It will be difficult for me to say who all were discussed. Those who the selection committee and the captain felt (deserved a look in) we have discussed. When you talk of selection, you talk of combination. The 15 players who are selected, we need to look at what slot they will play and also the players already in the team.
On two off-spinners in the side
We considered the six left-handers in the Bangladesh batting order and we discussed it with the captain also and felt we needed two off-spinners. It was not that we only discussed Harbhajan but we also spoke about other young off-spinners in our country. But ultimately we felt that this was the right choice for this particular tour.
On selections made
The selection committee has no emotional attachments. We look at performances, fitness and the combination as to whether a particular player, a bowler or batsman fits in that combination. And over the last two years, we have made some mistakes and maybe we will make some mistakes again but we have to learn from the mistakes. Indian cricket has gone through a transition period, which we all know and we are just trying to settle down. I just request all you friends to have more patience. You pick a combination and sometimes that combination doesn’t work so you go for other combination, which we tried to do.
On Jadeja missing out
Of course, we did discuss not only Jadeja but the other spinners too. We have selected the best possible spinners for this particular tour.
Source:: Indian Express
