‘Indian Cricketers take injection to get 100% fit,’ says chief selector Chetan Sharma on sting camera

Jasprit Bumrah fitness

Chetan Sharma – who was reinstated as the chief selector – also alleged that there was a difference of opinion between him and the team management over Jasprit Bumrah’s return from a stress fracture for the T20I series against Australia in September.

Earlier this year too, Bumrah was first included in the limited-overs series at home against New Zealand but he was later not included in the squad as he wasn’t completely fit. The Gujarat seamer continues to be out of action and he is most likely miss the entire Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia and subsequent the three-match ODI series next month.

Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill closing doors for seniors

Commenting on the current forms of young batters Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill in the white-ball format, Sharma claimed that they have certainly put the careers of Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson and KL Rahul in jeopardy.

Gill and Kishan have made the most of the opportunities in the limited-overs format lately and forced the team management to give them a longer rope.

Both Gill and Kishan have joined the list of Indian batters to slam a double century in the ODIs and showcased their batting talents.

On Virat Kohli-Sourav Ganguly controversy

Sharma also alleged that there was an ego tussle between former India skipper Virat Kohli and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly.

While speaking about Kohli’s press conference – after he was removed as the Test captain – where the Delhi cricketer hit back at the then BCCI chief, Sharma claimed that Kohli thought that he was sacked as India’s Test captain just because of Ganguly.

Sharma claimed that in fact, it was a collective decision taken by the board and selectors.

He even accused Kohli of lying at the press conference that he wasn’t communicated beforehand not to give up his captaincy. Ganguly told Virat not to give up the role, he claimed.

Two camps in Team India

The chief selector also claimed that there are two camps in the Indian side. One is being led by Rohit Sharma and the other is led by Virat Kohli. He, however, clarified that both Rohit and Kohli respect and value each other.

“Rohit Sharma was the one who supported Virat Kohli the most when he was going through a rough patch,” Sharma said.

Future of captain Rohit Sharma

The former cricketer while speaking about the future of Indian cricket claimed the board isn’t looking at Rohit Sharma as a long-term captaincy option and the senior pro won’t be a part of the T20I setup in the future. In fact, all-rounder Hardik Pandya – who has been leading the national side in the T20Is – will be the captain in the long run.

He also claimed that, unlike Kohli, the current India captains – both Rohit and Hardik – trust him. He claimed that both the players have visited his residence and discussed the team’s affairs. Pandya speaks with him more frequently; and whenever he has a chat with Rohit, the conversation goes on for at least 30 minutes.

Fate of Chetan Sharma?

It is being claimed that the board has sprung into action with this controversial sting and has started looking into the matter. As the national selectors are bound by contract and not supposed to speak to the media, Sharma’s actions are a breach of contract.

“It will be (BCCI secretary) Jay’s (Shah) call as to what will be Chetan’s future. The question is whether T20 skipper Hardik Pandya or ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma would like to sit with Chetan in a selection meeting knowing that he has let out internal discussions,” a senior BCCI official was quoted by PTI on conditions of anonymity.