The decision to include Ajinkya Rahane in the WTC squad may have considered various things like his improved performance in IPL 2023 and his experience playing Test matches in England. On his part, Ajinkya Rahane proved the selectors right by scoring massive 89 runs during the first innings and 46 runs during the second innings.

But, Sourav Ganguly expressed that he doesn’t understand the process behind the decision. When asked about Shubman Gill as the choice for the vice-captaincy option, Ganguly said: “Yeah, I think so.”

“I won’t say it’s a step backward. You have been out for 18 months, then you play a Test and you become a vice-captain. I don’t understand the thought process behind it. There is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been there for a long time and a certainty in Test matches, he is a candidate,” former Team India skipper said.

Don’t make hot and cold selections: Sourav Ganguly

“To just come back and straightway becomes vice-captain after 18 months, I don’t understand. My only thing is that the selection shouldn’t be hot and cold. There has to be continuity and consistency in selection,” Ganguly pointed out.

The remark by Sourav Ganguly came even as he praised Ajinkya Rahane’s performance during the WTC Finals 2023. “He (Rahane) was magnificent. He fought hard despite wickets falling at the other end. He will be extremely proud of what he has done till lunch,” Ganguly said.

“How good it is, after 18 months. He was away for 18 months from Test cricket, Many of them had written him off and probably he himself. It is not easy in Indian cricket as a batter to come back and make a statement. I think it is tremendous. There have been many comebacks in the past but not after such a long period,” the former BCCI President added

Updated: 29 Jun 2023, 10:32 PM IST