Ajit Agarkar Explains Sai Sudharsan’s Inclusion In Tests: ‘When People Like Virat Kohli Or Rohit Sharma Retire…’ | Cricket News

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar justified Sai Sudharsan’s inclusion in India’s Test squad for the two-match series against the West Indies, stating that Sudharsan has shown significant promise and the team aims to give him an extended opportunity. Agarkar also addressed Karun Nair’s exclusion from the squad and discussed the team’s expectations from its players.

During a press conference on Thursday, Agarkar announced India’s 15-man squad for the two home Tests against the West Indies. Sudharsan, who was part of the playing XI during the team’s tour of England earlier this year, has been supported by the selectors and included in the squad.

Why Is Sai Sudharsan In India’s Test Side?

Agarkar commended Sudharsan, noting that young players in the setup have been progressing well recently, prompting the selectors to back them in hopes of shaping their careers.

“Sai has shown a lot of promise, he’s a very good player. Hopefully we can give him a longish run from now on at a particular number. When people like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma retire, those are big holes to fill, not to forget Ashwin retired a few months back and Shami hasn’t played for a while now.

“Those guys, for the last 10 years, have been the key players for the team. Lot of these youngers guys have shown really good signs in England which was a really tough tour, even though we didn’t win it but there were lots of positives and we can build on them. Hopefully, going forward we can give these guys time to actually build their careers,” Agarkar said at the press conference.

Kuanl Nair OUT & Devdutt Padikkal IN

Regarding Nair’s exclusion and Devdutt Padikkal’s return to the team, Agarkar mentioned that they had higher expectations for Nair during the England tour, but he did not meet them.

“Frankly we expected a little bit more from Karun in the England trip. He’s played four Tests and we’ve spoken about just one innings. It is what it is. We feel Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point and I wish we could give everyone 15 or 20 Tests. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Padikkal has been in the Test squad, he was in Australia, played against Australia, played in Dharamsala against England, got a 50 there. Showed decent form with India A,” he added.

(With inputs from IANS)