Are Indian Cricket Team Selectors Idiots?

[wanted_desi]

You always seem them mixing up formats. Dropping someone in T20 based on ODI form and vice versa. Backing 36 years old players to play when main players are resting instead of giving chance to some youngster to see their potential at international level. Now you will see SR110 Dhawan coming back to play T20s when there is no way he will be selected to T20 WC when all main players come back. What is the point of even him getting selector? Are they looking to have him after T20WC when you will see some retirements? This is just school level stuff from selectors who are supposed to be professionals in their field. 

 

 

[Texan]

They are not idiots, but they try to be politically right. Picking experienced players, while not the best decision in the interest of the team on some occasions, is usually a "safe" decision as they are unlikely to get questioned about it. They will conveniently talk about that player's historical record (even though historical records may have no bearing on expected future performance) and be able to justify their decision. Also, being a selector is a limited term engagement. Selectors also want to secure their long term future and hence, having good relations with experienced players, who have significant clout within the BCCI helps their cause.

 

All in all, this is a big freaking mess and things won't change until selectors have the mentality that they have to only pick the best most promising team looking into the future and not have historical performances completely dominate their selection policies. I am not saying that historical performances should not have any bearing on selections, but one should look at whether the player is still capable of repeating or bettering those kind of performances.

[Jay]

2 hours ago, Texan said:

They are not idiots, but they try to be politically right. Picking experienced players, while not the best decision in the interest of the team on some occasions, is usually a "safe" decision as they are unlikely to get questioned about it. They will conveniently talk about that player's historical record (even though historical records may have no bearing on expected future performance) and be able to justify their decision. Also, being a selector is a limited term engagement. Selectors also want to secure their long term future and hence, having good relations with experienced players, who have significant clout within the BCCI helps their cause.

 

All in all, this is a big freaking mess and things won't change until selectors have the mentality that they have to only pick the best most promising team looking into the future and not have historical performances completely dominate their selection policies. I am not saying that historical performances should not have any bearing on selections, but one should look at whether the player is still capable of repeating or bettering those kind of performances.

So true. Said this many times. Unfortunately modern Indian players have too much clout due to simpleton fans who put them ona pedestal. 

[Stan AF]

Rhetorical Question