The BCCI released a 16-member India A squad to take on a strong New Zealand A team for a multi-format series next month.
India A and New Zealand A will play three Tests from September 1-18, while the 50-over matches to take place from 22nd September to 27.
The squad includes Indian stars Kuldeep Yadav, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Chahar and Prasidh Krishna.
Domestic sensations such as Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, and KS Bharat are also a part, alongside speedster Umran Malik, who is out of the international scheme of things at the moment.
Meanwhile, Saurashtra star Sheldon Jackson didn’t find a place on the 16-member list. He has a terrific first-class record, scoring 5,634 runs at an average of 49.42. He feels that his age has come in between his selection.
The 35-year-old reacted to his omission by expressing himself on Twitter, where he bashed the age criteria while selecting a player.
He wrote, “I have a right to believe and dream that if I have performed for three continuous seasons, I may get picked based on my performances, not age, tired of hearing this that I’m a good player and performer, but I’m old, I’m 35, not 75.”
Several fans sympathized with Jackson and even pointed out that Dinesh Karthik got a place in the national side at 37. However, one fan commented, “I understand your pain, but you were terrible in the IPL. Sorry!”
Sheldon took the comment constructively and replied, “Hey, I understand you are upset with me, and I was angry with myself too coz I haven’t got anything in cricket easily or early, but in cricket, it happens no matter how much you try at times things don’t go your way, I’m sorry I couldn’t show you how good I am, someday.”