April 15, Monday, caused a massive stir amongst the Indian cricket team faithful after the selection committee decided to drop the likes of Rishabh Pant and Ambati Rayudu for Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Shankar respectively. However, speaking over the decisions, Indian coach Ravi Shastri has cleared that he doesn’t get involved in the selection process and if it was upto him, he would have selected 16 players.
Shastri was speaking during an event in Dubai where he explained that he has any input over the squad, he let his captain (Virat Kohli) know about it.
"I don't get involved in selection. If we have any opinion, we let the captain known," Shastri was quoted by Cricbuzz.
"When you only have 15 to pick, there is bound to be someone or the other who misses out, which is very unfortunate. I would have preferred 16 players. We had mentioned to the ICC that in a tournament that long, 16 players makes sense. But the diktat was 15."
Also speaking about India’s batting order, the 56-year-old mentioned that barring the top-3, every batting position is flexible.
"Total flexibility (on No.4 position) depending on conditions, opposition. I would say the top three… but after that you can be very flexible.”
India, over the years, have been criticized for being extremely reliant on their captain, Virat Kohli, but Shastri mentioned that India’s recent records are prime example that the team is working together as a whole.
"If you look at the last five years, the way the Indian team has performed, they have always been in the top two or three. To be in top two or three for five years in a row, No 1 in Tests, again top three in T20 cricket you can't depend on one player. You have that kind of consistent record, you need a bunch of players performing all the time. Due credit to the team," he said.
Meanwhile, both Pant and Rayudu – along with bowler Navdeep Saini – were named as standbys in India’s squad and Shastri mentioned that the trio should not lose morale as an opportunity could strike anytime.
"They (who missed out) shouldn’t lose heart. It’s a funny game. There could be injuries. So you never know when you could be called up.”
