Twitter Reactions: Umesh Yadav's retention in the squad for last three Windies ODIs raises questions

Team India have announced a revised squad for the final three ODIs against the Windies, which have raised a lot of eyebrows amongst fans. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s leading death bowlers in the limited-overs formats, have returned to the squad, which will be a pleasant sight for many. However, the decision that did not please everyone was Mohammed Shami being dropped for the last 3 ODIs. Instead, speedster Umesh Yadav was retained despite having leaked runs in both one-dayers.

The selectors announced the 15-member India squad for the final three ODIs against the Windies on Wednesday. As soon as the official Twitter handle of the BCCI tweeted the squad, fans were quick to express their displeasure at Shami’s exclusion from the squad and raised questions on Yadav’s retention.

India decide to strengthen pace attack

It must be said that both Indian fast bowlers had underperformed in the first two ODIs against the Windies. India had decided to rest their primary seamers Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah ahead of what is sure to be a demanding tour of Australia. However, after the visitors shocked everyone by forcing a tie in the second ODI in Vizag, the Indians have decided to not take any more risks, thus reinforcing their pace attack.

Shami was only able to take three wickets in the first two matches, maintaining a considerably high economy rate of 7. In the first ODI in Guwahati, Shami conceded as many as 81 runs in his quota of 10 overs and bagged two wickets, while in the second match in Vishakhapatnam he took one wicket and gave away 59 runs.

Umesh Yadav, on the other hand, has only managed to take one wicket in the two games so far and had an economy rate of 7.10. The right-arm paceman conceded 64 runs in Guwahati while leaking 78 in the second ODI. Umesh was tasked with bowling the final over of the second tie but was unable to defend 14 runs. In fact, Shami bowled a brilliant 49th over, giving away just 6 runs. Although India weren’t defeated, they would be disappointed to not have won the match from the position in which they found themselves after the end of the penultimate over.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s selection for the final 3 ODIs:

@MdShami11 always it's been unfair with Shami.. a guy getting closer to improve his form..and you selectors just thrown him out of the team!!! Is this called justice? Are you guys capable of selecting a proper team?? I doubt..

— Sandip Chatterjee (@SandipC81892067) October 26, 2018

the bad decision bcci for md shami is not playing 15 but umesh yadav ko not inteam 15 its bad decisonumesh yadav ko hatana chaye tha ye galt hai md shami ko team me rakhna chaiye tha

— Niraj shrivastavsa (@Nirajshrivast17) October 26, 2018

@BCCI why shami out.., and umesh in after 3ODI… Who's happy this selection

— PonnamshekharTRS@gmail.com (@ponnamshehar) October 26, 2018

What the hell is happening!Shami should have played 2-3 matches more.when you see a sign of improvement from a player, how could you just drop him?Shami just came back in ODI few days ago..if you don't give him proper chances to prove, then how will you judge your bench strength?

— Sandip Chatterjee (@SandipC81892067) October 26, 2018

What’s the point in giving Shami a break right now ? @BCCI
Poor strategy unless he is unfit #INDvWI https://t.co/HmGzr60tZI

— Karan Patel (@patelkaran952) October 26, 2018

I agree it was unfair towards Shami to drop him as he bowled well in death overs whereas Umesh failed both at opening and death overs. But to say it is due to his religion is unacceptable. By that logic Shami & Khaleel wouldnt hv been picked in the team at all ever.

— ABI (@ABITVM0077) October 26, 2018

@cricketaakash @vikrantgupta73 Have to say, this selection committee is the worst ever in the history of Indian Cricket. Persisted with Umesh over Shami who looked good in the last game. Didn't consider fit-again Kedar Jadhav.
What the hell is happening with the team selections!

— Abhishek (@ImAbhishek28) October 26, 2018

In the series against INDIES shami has shown more consistency as compare to Umesh. So Shami should be better choice as a back-up pacer. Hopefully he will get more and more matches before the 2019 world cup to prove himself better.

— Debashish Ratha (@RathaDebashish) October 26, 2018

Where is SHAMI, he is on the line to make a record and u r dropping him, atleast give him a full series like everyone else gets.

— Deep Kiran Shah (@DeepKiranShah1) October 26, 2018