Former Indian keeper-batsman Syed Kirmani is miffed by India’s policy of including makeshift wicket keepers in the national team.
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Former chief selector Syed Kirmani has come very hard on the Indian selectors and the team management for their approach of picking the team. He believes that emphasis is laid more on batting than on keeping skills.
“You miss out on one or two innings and you are out of the team. They are making all batsmen makeshift wicketkeepers. Unfortunately, that is how the selection team is thinking. It reflects on their inexperience.
“It’s a phenomenon world over. There is too much cricket. Players have no rest at all. All these injuries are happening because there is no particular technique wicketkeepers are following. If you don’t have that, you can’t last long,” Kirmani said.
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Not only his keeping skills, now-a-days the ability to decide whether to review the Umpire’s decision or not has also become critical. “The keeper is the best judge of the game. He is the best guide for the bowler and is the right person to set the field.
“I was so excited when MS Dhoni was appointed captain. And he proved himself so well. That is why I say lay off Dhoni. His experience gives the team a unique edge.”
Kirmani was not impressed with Rishabh Pant’s selection in the team and considered him more of a pinch hitter than a proper Test player.
“The selection pattern is that they don’t want a specialised keeper. They want an additional all-rounder who can stop the ball.
“The first one to take that place was Rahul Dravid (2003 World Cup). Even KL Rahul is keeping wicket nowadays. Right now, all the state associations are choosing wicketkeepers like that,” Kirmani signed off.
