Mumbai, India (BBN)-India has chosen a “weak” side to tour Bangladesh next month, believes Faruk Ahmed, the chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Speaking exclusively over telephone from Dhaka, he said, “In the absence of regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and vice captain Virat Kohli, the team chosen by Indian selectors is certainly a weak side. I don’t say that the BCB should lodge protest against sending relatively a weak team as it is the prerogative of the Indian cricket board, but….”.
“We are not happy with the decision of Dhoni and Kohli to skip the tour. We don’t say we are happy but it is unfortunate to see them not touring our country,” Pakistan Observer quoted Ahmed as saying.
“Yes, in the absence of these senior players, our team will benefit. The Bangladesh team has now edge over Team India. It should be little advantageous now.”
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t wish to comment on India selection. “I am not allowed to talk with anyone regarding this”, he sent the message to us.
“Our captain is recovering well”, the chief selector added.
Rahim was ill with hepatitis and was admitted in the Apollo Hospital.
Apparently, the most delighted man was Akshar Patel, the 21-year-old all rounder, who got news in Kolkata while playing an IPL match for Kings Eleven, Punjab.
“Akshar has done well in under-19 matches and we were thinking him to play in Under-25 before pushing him for the Ranji Trophy, Vijay patel, the Gujarat coach said from Ahmedabad.
“This year when he left to play at Rajkot, we, while watching the wicket at Surat, felt, the rough wicket would suit him against Delhi’s senior player and sos was sent to him. He took 10 wickets against Delhi and has never looked back since then”, Patel added.
BBN/SS-30May14-3:00pm (BST)
