“We need specialists in Test cricket” - Manoj Tiwary slams selectors for their poor selection calls vs South Africa

Former Indian cricketer and analyst Manoj Tiwary has lashed out at the Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, for their poor selection calls in the two-match Test series against South Africa as India suffered a 0-2 Test series whitewash.

Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Tiwary asserted that deserving players like Sarfaraz Khan aren’t making it to the Test squad. Moreover, he also discussed Karun Nair’s axing for the home Test series. Later, he stressed Mohammed Shami’s non-selection.

"Deserving players have not been making it to the squad despite scoring tons of runs. For example, Sarfaraz Khan is a master of sub-continent conditions. He could have made a big difference in these conditions. Then Karun Nair, giving him just one series in England. Those players who have performed in domestic conditions would have made a big impact rather than the non-specialists. I also need to ask them why Mohammed Shami wasn't picked? Just imagine Shami bowling to Marco Jansen and Muthusamy, the partnership which broke the backbone in the second Test. He would have made the difference," Manoj Tiwary told The Hindustan Times.

Furthermore, Tiwary also emphasised that the Indian Test team requires more specialists in the longest format of the game, adding that everything in the team needs to be reviewed before the next Test series commences. 

"The real OG all-rounders were Kapil Dev, Jacques Kallis and Ian Botham. Those were the cricketers who were the real all-rounders, who could win the match with both bat and ball. Name one player from our team who is being called an all-rounder, and who could potentially win the match single-handedly with either batting or bowling. None of them. We need specialists in Test cricket. There are many players in domestic cricket, and they know how to adapt to the situation and occupy the crease. If those players are not there and if you have white-ball players, then the results will always be negative. I think this mindset is not the right strategy to go about, and everything needs to be reviewed," he added.

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