India's dominance with the bat on Day 2 in Ahmedabad was one part of the story. Away from the runs and centuries, the West Indies team management came under sharp scrutiny after their surprise selection calls.
The omission of Anderson Phillips raised eyebrows when debutant Johann Layne was handed a cap as Shamar Joseph's replacement. That decision became a point of debate among Sunil Gavaskar, Daren Ganga and Dinesh Karthik during the broadcast.
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Anderson Phillips snub sparks debate in Ahmedabad Test
Karthik highlighted the awkward situation for Phillips who has had to watch a replacement player jump straight into the XI. He explained that it's mentally tough for any cricketer in such a position as it sends a confusing message about their standing in the squad.
"It's always a tough one mentally if you're in Anderson Phillips' position. Having made it to the squad right from the start, one of the bowlers gets injured but then a replacement player gets straight into the XI and not you. It's always a hard sell to a player," Karthik said on air.
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Sunil Gavaskar slams West Indies selection confusion
Gavaskar agreed and suggested that the move indicates a gap between selectors and team management. He stressed that while a coach should have inputs on the type of player needed, final calls ideally rest with a broader selection panel.
"If you have somebody who comes in as a replacement and takes over, then clearly there is a disconnect between what the team management thinks and the selection committee," Gavaskar observed.
Daren Ganga questions Darren Sammy’s control over West Indies team selection
Former West Indies opener Daren Ganga went further - saying that there is not a traditional selection committee in place. According to him, head coach Darren Sammy is effectively the only selector though he does take advice from regional scouts.
"To be honest there is no selection committee. Darren Sammy is the sole selector for the West Indies team, so he makes the call and he is the one held accountable for the decisions," Ganga explained.
Karthik added that when a coach doubles as sole selector, it creates pressure on players who may feel the need to constantly please the same authority figure in every aspect. He suggested that such a structure could make dressing-room dynamics more complicated than necessary.
The debate comes as West Indies struggle to contain India who scored 448 for 5 with centuries from KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja. As questions mount about the team's direction, the selection framework under Darren Sammy will remain under the spotlight.
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