‘The decision that has disappointed me is that one’ – Mohit Sharma questions Team India’s playing XI changes for 2nd ODI

Mohit Sharma slammed the Indian team management’s decision to drop Harsh Dubey from the playing XI for the second ODI against Afghanistan despite his exemplary performance on debut in the first game.

India made three changes to the side that won the first ODI by seven wickets in Dharamsala, a match that was reduced to 25 overs per side due to rain. Dubey, who made his international debut in that game, picked up three in five overs. While the left-arm spinner conceded 47 runs, most of the damage was caused by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was sensational with the bat.

Dubey made way for the experienced Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohit wasn’t too impressed with this decision. The former India pacer said that Kuldeep is a big-match player and everyone knows what he is capable of. He opined that had Dubey played all three matches in the ongoing series, it would have done a world of good to his confidence.

“The decision that has disappointed me is that one, the one to drop Harsh Dubey. They could have given him one more chance. You have already seen Kuldeep Yadav, and what he can do, he is a player for the big matches, he has performed a lot for the team, so Dubey should have been given another go,” Mohit said on Cricbuzz.

“He must be thinking, even after team management’s reassurance, that had he bowled that first over in the last match also well, he might not have been dropped now. He must be thinking he would have got to play the entire series, and that would have boosted his confidence a lot. So, I feel disappointed for him,” he added.

Apart from Dubey, India also benched Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out due to soreness in his left thigh. Prince Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal replaced them in the side, with the former making his international debut at his IPL homeground.