Selectors believe in Ajinkya Rahane's abilities, says Sandeep Patil

Ajinkya Rahane named captain for Zimbabwe tour

After being dropped from the team for the first ODI against Bangladesh earlier this month, India’s cricket selectors took everyone by surprise by dubbing Ajinkya Rahane as the captain for the upcoming tour against Zimbabwe.

The series, which is scheduled to start on the 10th July, consists of three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s.

The chairman of selectors, Sandeep Patil, explained why they chose Rahane to lead the side, “We're very happy the way his career is shaping up. He is one of the most consistent batsmen for India. That's why we want to see his other aspects. We have given him this opportunity and we'll definitely back him."

When questioned, how Rahane was named the captain even though he doesn’t have a regular slot in the Indian ODI squad, Patil stated that the selectors believed in the abilities of the 27-year-old.

"If five of us (selectors) have decided to give the responsibility to Rahane, it means we are confident of his ability and we want him to do well and we would like to judge him also at the same time."

He also stated that the team had been selected bearing in mind next year’s T20world Cup, scheduled to be hosted in India.

"Like so many of you are of the opinion that the Indian team did not do well in Bangladesh, we felt the same. We have to move forward and, considering the domestic cricket to be played, we have picked this side also looking at 2016 Twenty 20 World Cup.

“As I’ve said before, the five selectors represent each and every player who plays under the banner of BCCI. And those who perform consistently, and even if players don’t perform but in our mind if the player has the talent, we consider him for selection.”

Patil also justified the exclusion of big names from the squad, stating that they needed to be rested.

"We had picked the best possible team that played at the World Cup, and keeping the future series in mind - whether it is Sri Lanka or South Africa home series, Twenty20 World Cup or the Australia series - we have decided to rest a few players who need urgent rest."

The squad for Zimbabwe comprises of three spinners in Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel and Karn Sharma. On the other hand, the pace department will consist of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Dhawal and Stuart Binny.

HARBHAJAN SINGH’S SELECTION:

Patil also commented on the inclusion of Harbajhan Singh after he was overlooked for the tour of Bangladesh.

”We cannot say (whether it’s) on long-term basis, but looking at Harbhajan's performance in the last series, considering the T20 tournament, we feel that he deserves a chance on this tour.

“The selectors' job is to pick the best possible combination. The rest is left to the team management. Once we select the team, it is left to the captain to make up the playing eleven.”

"I don’t think there is any confusion; we haven’t heard anything. My two colleagues, Vikram Rathore and Roger Binny, were on that tour and they were in constant touch with the team management, director and the captain and they haven’t reported anything to BCCI or to me.” Patil clarified.