Ajit Agarkar Faces IPL Bias Allegation As Ex-MI Star Voices Strong Frustration
Former MI player questions selection process and fairness.
The selection of India’s squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series has sparked debate, with criticism emerging over the perceived influence of Indian Premier League (IPL) performances on national team selection. The controversy intensified after Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, who enjoyed an outstanding domestic season, was left out of the squad despite his impressive record in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy.
Nabi played a pivotal role in Jammu and Kashmir’s successful Ranji Trophy campaign, claiming 60 wickets in just 10 matches. However, the fast bowler failed to secure a place in India’s squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan after an underwhelming IPL 2026 season with the Delhi Capitals. His omission has prompted questions about the weight given to domestic performances compared to IPL displays.
Former Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders player Siddhesh Lad voiced strong concerns over the selection process, arguing that it sends the wrong message to domestic cricketers. Speaking to the Times of India, Lad said players are often told that strong performances in the Ranji Trophy are the pathway to representing India, but actual selections appear to suggest otherwise.
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Lad pointed to Nabi’s exclusion as evidence that IPL performances are increasingly becoming a benchmark for national selection. According to him, players who excel in domestic cricket but fail to shine in the IPL face an uphill battle in breaking into the Indian team, even in the Test format. He also expressed concern that the prestige and importance of the Ranji Trophy have diminished in recent years.
The criticism was directed at the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, with Lad claiming that domestic achievements are not being rewarded adequately. He argued that Nabi’s contribution to Jammu and Kashmir’s title-winning campaign should have earned him consideration for the national side, particularly given the consistency of his performances throughout the season.
India are scheduled to begin their tour against Afghanistan on June 6, featuring a one-off Test match followed by a three-match ODI series. While the squad announcement has generated significant discussion, the debate over the balance between IPL success and domestic cricket performances is likely to continue as selectors face increasing scrutiny over their decisions.
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