Salman Butt questions Virat Kohli’s selection policies in ICC T20 World Cup

The defeat against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup is still fresh in the minds. Virat Kohli, the India skipper, has come under pressure after his team lost the match by 10 wickets. India will have to win the next match against New Zealand to keep the hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive.

Fans and cricket experts were not happy with the selection policies with many questioning the need to play Hardik Pandya. Even the exclusion of R Ashwin from the playing XI was raised.

Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has joined the debate. He was surprised to see the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal from the T20 World Cup squad.

“India have a good pool of players but in conditions like Dubai, you ought to have people who can bowl 140+,” Butt said.

“You need to have 2-3 options. Medium pacers are not successful here. You need to have perfect spinners or pacers who can clock 140+ consistently unless they are all-rounders. India have quick bowlers but they didn’t select them. And it is not just 140 kmph, it should be quicker as well.

“Australia have three solid pacers. Afghanistan have three excellent spinners. India have Ashwin and Jadeja. Only India can explain why they did not select Chahal and why they benched Ashwin,” he signed off.

India will take on New Zealand on October 31.