Selecting Ambati Rayudu over Rahane is a harsh decision, says Sourav Ganguly

While the Indian team for the upcoming tours and fixtures were announced, a number of veterans opined on the team selection. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly also provided his insight. Ganguly revealed that he was left surprised after senior batsman Ajinkya Rahane was ignored in favour of Ambati Rayudu for the ODI series against England.

Rayudu is currently the Orange Cap holder in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season and was recalled to India’s ODI squad on the back of his sublime form. The Andhra cricketer has been in a sensational form in the ongoing IPL, having scored 423 runs in 10 matches. Rayudu’s inclusion in the ODI squad is seen by many as the latest step by the selectors to sort out India’s middle-order issues ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Rahane, who was part of the ODI side for the six-match series against South Africa, made 140 runs in five innings at an average of 35. However, despite his poor statistics in the tour to the rainbow nation, Rahane is one of the best performers in abroad. A proven contender on foreign soil, Rahane could have come in handy with his incredible impetus.

Speaking to India Today, Ganguly said he would have picked Rahane in place of Rayudu as the former is a proven player in English conditions. “Ajinkya Rahane has missed out on the limited-overs squad. A harsh decision. I would still pick Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Ambati Rayudu. Ajinkya Rahane is a far superior player in England where the ball is going to move. He has got a good record in England.”

Ganguly support Iyer’s selection

Sourav Ganguly, on the contrary, supported selectors’ decision to recall Shreyas Iyer for the ODI series against England. However, the 45-year-old questioned the move to ignore the youngster for the one-off Test at home against Afghanistan.

 Karun Nair was picked in the team as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who will be busy playing county cricket for Surrey in the month of June. The selectors have also recalled Siddharth Kaul into the ODI side following an impressive run in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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