Krishnamachari Srikkanth felt that India should have gone ahead with Deepak Hooda over Shreyas Iyer in the playing XI, and hence came up with a bold Rahul Dravid reply when the selection was defended by a former India cricketer.
Former India captain and ex-chairman of selection committee, was left furious over team’s selection in the first T20I match of the five-game series against West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.
The team saw the return of captain Rohit Sharma along with seven other players in the T20I line-up, all of whom were rested for the three-match ODI series where the Shikhar Dhawan-led side had scripted a 3-0 whitewash.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth Wanted Deepak Hooda To Play Instead Of Shreyas Iyer In 1st T20I
After losing the toss, Rohit Sharma announced that Shreyas Iyer would bat at No.3 for India as against Deepak Hooda, who Krishnamachari Srikkanth pointed out, during his conversation with Fan Code, has been exceptional in his last few appearances in the both the white-ball formats for India.
“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,” the India great Krishnamachari Srikkanth had said before Pragyan Ojha, who was part of the same panel, walked in to defend Rahul Dravid’s selection process.
In four T20I innings (6 T20Is) so far in 2022, Deepak Hooda scored 205 runs at an average of 68.33 at a strike rate of 172.66 which includes a record century against Ireland as well. Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, scored 931 runs in 39 T20I innings for India at a strike rate of 137.93 with 6 fifties.
Shreyas Iyer amassed 161 runs in the ODI series averaging 53.67 and was the 3rd highest run-getter in the ODI series. However, in T20Is, Shreyas Iyer averages a modest 33.25 in 43 matches with 6 fifties having amassed 931 runs.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth Said He Doesn’t Need Rahul Dravid’s Thoughts As He Felt Deepak Hooda Should Be An Obvious Selection
Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha, who was also a part of the panel contradicted with Srikkanth and Indian head coach Rahul Dravid on his selection of players.
“Rahul bhai believes that if a player performed for you first then play him and back him. Then you go ahead with the other options,” said Ojha.
Srikkanth immediately stopped him midway through his explanation to say, “Rahul Dravid ka soch humko nehi chaiye. Aapka soch chaiye. Abhi chaiye. Abhi do.(We don’t need Rahul Dravid’s thought. We need yours. Right now. Give it now.)” said Krishnamachari Srikkanth.
Pragyan Ojha smiled and sided with Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s choice saying, “Hooda toh hona chaiye. Obviously Hooda.Obviously Hooda (Hooda should be there. Obviously Hooda)”
“Bas. Khatam,” replied the veteran India cricketer.
Shreyas Iyer eventually suffered a four-ball duck in the match after India were put to bat first.