Indian cricket’s selection process is once again under a harsh spotlight after a shock inclusion in the Edgbaston Test squad: a player with a dismal Ranji Trophy record — averaging under 25 and no centuries in the last two seasons — has been picked, and whispers suggest his close friendship with vice-captain Shubman Gill played a big role in his surprise call-up.
The squad announcement, which should have been routine, turned controversial the moment this name appeared among India’s Test reserves. Fans and experts were quick to point out that not only does the player lack recent first-class performances, but he was also left out of his state team for a chunk of the last Ranji season due to poor form. Incredibly, he’s leapfrogged red-hot performers like Sarfaraz Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who continue to pile on runs but remain on the sidelines.
What’s fueling the outrage is the well-known off-field friendship between the player and Gill, with countless social media photos of the two vacationing together and attending events. As soon as the news broke, hashtags like #GillBuddy, #SelectionScam, and #RanjiDeservesBetter began trending, with many calling this the worst example of favoritism in recent memory.
A senior BCCI official, speaking anonymously, tried to calm the storm, saying:
“The player has shown good intent in net sessions and team meetings. The management believes he brings the right mindset.”
But critics argue that “mindset” can’t justify ignoring batters who’ve scored 800+ runs in a Ranji season — a benchmark once considered essential for a Test nod.
Even former India opener Aakash Chopra weighed in, posting:
“Ranji numbers should matter. If not, why have a domestic structure at all?”
Meanwhile, former selectors warned this kind of selection undermines the hard work of players grinding it out in the domestic circuit. The Edgbaston Test is already a must-win game, and India’s squad choices are now under a microscope — not just for performance but for integrity.
The controversy adds to the pressure on both the player and the management: if he fails, the whispers of favoritism will become deafening; if he succeeds, selectors will claim vindication.
Will India’s gamble on Gill’s buddy turn into a feel-good story or the year’s biggest selection blunder?