The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Team Selection Committee made it clear that the ICC Champions Trophy squad selection was not on the basis of Indian Premier League (IPL) performances. They have also made it clear that it cannot be the parameter of selection.
Therefore, India have picked a really strong squad for the Champions Trophy. Unfortunately, Gautam Gambhir was not picked despite putting up a fabulous show in the ongoing IPL. Critics have slammed the selectors and the fans also expressed their disappointment on Twitter.
However, one needs to know, Gambhir himself had stated a couple of days ago that performing in the IPL and trying to sneak into the India ODI squad is not really fair. But in this case, Rohit Sharma should consider himself to be lucky enough to get picked, as KL Rahul is injured.
Here's how Twitter reacted:
Team for Champions Trophy as expected. Good mix of youth and experience. Tough luck for Gambhir, Raina and to some extent Pant, Kuldeep https://t.co/wsLNWZ2keU
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) 8 May 2017
India have gone in for an extra batting option over a bowling option in the team. Expected one of Rahane/Pandey with a wrist spinner added
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 8 May 2017
Great job @BCCI to get selectors to answer all queries. No room for ambiguity. Far cry from when selectors were at par with secret agents.
— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) 8 May 2017
@BCCI Wow !! Still Dhawan ahead of Gambhir and picking flop rahane ! The best blind cricket board of the world ! Kudos to u @BCCI
— Rajguru Javalagaddi (@rajgurusj) 8 May 2017
@NikhilNaz @virendersehwag @BCCI @ImRaina & @GautamGambhir shud have been in the team
— Nishant (@nish4nt26) 8 May 2017
@BCCI not selected Mr consistent @ImRaina, feels sad.
— S Harish Kumar (@harry21aug) 8 May 2017
Gambhir should have been selected in place of Dhawan @BCCI
— Vivek (@Vivek4Solanki) 8 May 2017
How does @GautamGambhir doesn't make it into the squad ahead of Shikhar Dhawan ?
#ChampionsTrophy2017 @BCCI #TeamIndian
@BCCI Dhawan Rahane Jadhav Yuvraj selected due to Kohli's friendship with these not performance rcb jaisa haal hoga team India ka
— kushal Gujjar (@kushalchauhan3) 8 May 2017
@BCCI Wow !! Still Dhawan ahead of Gambhir and picking flop rahane ! The best blind cricket board of the world ! Kudos to u @BCCI
— Rajguru Javalagaddi (@rajgurusj) 8 May 2017