GANGULY SAYS HE WOULD PICK RAHANE AHEAD OF RAYUDU

MUMBAI: Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has criticised the exclusion of Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane from the ODI and T20I squads to take on Ireland and England next month.

While Rahane was not included in the ODI and T20I sides, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Ambati Rayudu, who has been in red-hot form this Indian Premier League (IPL), was selected for the threematch ODI series against England.

Ganguly is of the opinion that even though it is Rayudu who has shown rich form, India should have taken Rahane to England as he has the requisite experience.

The ex-india captain was quoted as saying by India Today, “Rahane has missed out on limited-overs squad. (It is) a harsh decision. I would still pick Rahane ahead of Rayudu. Rahane is a far superior player in England where the ball is going to move. He has got a good record in England.”

IYER GOOD PICK

Ganguly, however, welcomed the inclusion of Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer, who made his limited-overs international debut last year. Iyer was speculated to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian Test side as the incumbent leader would be on County duty with Surrey in June.

“Shreyas Iyer is in the England ODI side which is a good decision. Karun Nair (in the Test squad vs Afghanistan) is a bit of a surprise. I am surprised that Shreyas Iyer has not been picked for the one-off Test considering he’s been brilliant for Delhi in the IPL,” Ganguly said.