After beating West Indies 3-0 in the three-match ODI series, India will face West Indies in a five-match T20 series. The first T20 match between India and West Indies is underway at Brain Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. Notably, this series saw the return of some senior players to the team, who were given rest in the ODI series.
Rohit Sharma is back to lead the team. However, ahead of the first T20, the BCCI confirmed that KL Rahul had been ruled out of the T20 series. Although the Indi board added Sanju Samson to the team as a replacement. But the selection of the playing XI in the first game didn’t go well with the former Indian cricketer and chief selector.
However, one notable exclusion was the all-rounder Deepak Hooda from the playing XI. Former chief selector Srikkanth didn’t seem happy with the team selection. After the toss in the first T20, Srikkanth questioned the management about the reason for Hooda’s exclusion, irrespective of his current form.
In a discussion with Fan Code, the former selector said that a team always needs an all-rounder in their XI. He also added that India should have given a chance to the Rajasthan-born all-rounder at No. 3 instead of Shreyas Iyer.
Srikkanth stated, “Where is Hooda? He did well in T20Is, He did well in ODIs as well. He is the guy who should be there. In T20 cricket you need to understand, that you need all-rounders. Batting all-rounders, bowling all-rounders, so more the all-rounders better for you.”
Notably, Hooda has done a really good job this year in T20Is. He has scored 205 runs in four innings at an average of 68.33 and a strike rate of 172.66. He has also scored a century as well. On the other hand, Iyer has played in 10 T20I innings and scored 351 runs at a strike rate of 151.29.Furthermore, the hosts chose to bowl first at the new stadium.
During the toss, the Indian skipper said that the players were excited to go. He also added that a game in a new stadium is very exciting. Rohit concluded that a few guys have left and a few have made it to the team.
