Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has criticised the team management’s treatment of young players following India’s 2-1 ODI series win over West Indies, accusing it of bringing in new faces without backing them.
The Auqib Nabi case
Kaif focused on debutant Auqib Nabi, who played one match before being left out of the final ODI. Nabi made his debut in the second game at Guwahati on September 30, replacing Nitish Kumar Reddy, and went for 84 runs from 8.5 overs without a wicket. He was then dropped for the third ODI on October 3.
On his YouTube channel, Kaif said players who are picked should be given more chances, and that dropping Nabi risked spoiling young talent. He questioned when Nabi might play white-ball cricket again and said India lack backups.
Coach Gautam Gambhir explained that Nabi was rested because a dead rubber lacks the pressure of a live series. Kaif countered that young players deserve a consistent run, not judgement after one game.
World Cup concerns
Kaif also doubted that the series helped India prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying it did little to address existing weaknesses, especially in bowling.
He sympathised with captain Shubman Gill, who he said is still learning the role while leading a young bowling attack. Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Gill and KL Rahul all kept performing, he added, but the series brought little progress where improvement was needed.
Selection clarity
Kaif questioned how the selectors have handled Mohammed Shami, arguing that senior players can have spells of poor fitness or rhythm and still return successfully. He said India need clearer, more consistent selection to build a strong squad for 2027.
