Why Nagpur’s Top Cricketers Miss Out on Indian Team Selection
- thenewsdirt
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
Every city, town, and village has its own cricketing dreams, but not all find a place under the spotlight.
Nagpur, known for producing dedicated and talented players, continues to face the curious issue of underrepresentation in the national cricket team.
The Vidarbha region, of which Nagpur is the heart, has seen significant domestic success, yet its players seldom don the Indian jersey.
Domestic Glory Versus National Recognition
Nagpur’s cricketing circuit has consistently produced players whose domestic records often surpass those of their peers who eventually secure spots in the Indian national team.
Despite exceptional statistics and match-winning performances, many of these players remain overlooked. The pattern raises questions about what more these cricketers need to achieve beyond domestic dominance.
Take Faiz Fazal, one of Vidarbha and Nagpur’s most consistent performers in domestic cricket. In the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy season, Fazal scored 822 runs in 9 matches at an average of 62.23, including three centuries and two fifties.
Despite leading his team with significant contributions and guiding Vidarbha to the knockout stages, Fazal was ignored for national selection.
During the same period, Abhimanyu Easwaran, who scored 642 runs at an average of 49.38, was included in India’s squad for the Bangladesh Test series in late 2022.
Fazal’s superior numbers, particularly in terms of average and consistency, highlight a disparity in how domestic performances are weighed.
Rajneesh Gurbani, remembered for his heroics in Vidarbha’s back-to-back Ranji Trophy wins in 2017–18 and 2018–19, continued to perform well in the following years.
In the 2022–23 Ranji season, he picked up 41 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 19.27. Gurbani’s standout performances included a seven-wicket haul against Karnataka and a decisive spell in the quarter-finals.
In contrast, Mukesh Kumar, with 31 wickets at an average of 24.45 in the same season, was called up for India’s Test series against the West Indies in 2023.
While Mukesh’s selection was justified by his pace and consistency, Gurbani’s better numbers raise questions about what more he needed to do.
Another name that stands out is Akshay Wakhare, whose experience and effectiveness in domestic cricket have been invaluable to Vidarbha.
In the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy, Wakhare ended the season with 36 wickets in 9 matches, averaging 21.15. His best performance came against Tamil Nadu, where he claimed 6 for 48 in the first innings, dismantling a batting line-up featuring established players like Baba Aparajith and Washington Sundar.
However, Wakhare found himself overlooked, whereas spinners like Saurabh Kumar, with 28 wickets at 23.87, received opportunities in India’s ‘A’ tours and national squad reserves.
Nagpur’s bowling spearhead Umesh Yadav, though a known figure in Indian cricket, has faced irregular selections despite strong domestic form. In the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy, Yadav picked up 27 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 18.88, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and bowl hostile spells. Yet, when India toured South Africa in early 2024, the selectors opted for younger options like Prasidh Krishna, who had 19 wickets at an average of 25.31 in the same domestic cycle.
Emerging talent Darshan Nalkande also finds himself in a similar predicament.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023–24, Nalkande took 15 wickets in 8 matches, averaging 17.20 with an economy rate of 6.80, notable for a T20 tournament.
He remained on the bench for his IPL franchise and was not considered for India’s T20I squads, even as pacers with higher economy rates and fewer wickets, like Arshdeep Singh (12 wickets at an economy of 8.10), continued to feature regularly.
This pattern of selection often extends beyond just statistical comparisons. Players from cricketing hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, and Karnataka seem to benefit from historical prominence, media attention, and higher-profile domestic matches.
In contrast, players from Nagpur and the broader Vidarbha region, despite matching or exceeding these performances, find themselves vying for limited recognition.
While numbers do not tell the entire story, they often reveal trends that are hard to ignore.
The Role of Perception and Selection Dynamics
Selection for the Indian team often involves more than just numbers. The selectors’ perception of a player’s temperament, adaptability, and ability to handle pressure plays a significant role.
Unfortunately, players from smaller cricketing hubs like Nagpur may not always get ample opportunities to prove themselves in such scenarios.
Matches played in front of packed stadiums with national selectors present, or games against high-profile teams, often weigh more heavily in selection meetings.
In 2025, Vidarbha faced Mumbai in a high-stakes Ranji Trophy quarter-final. Despite a commendable performance, where Aditya Sarwate, another Nagpur cricketer, spun a web around Mumbai’s batting line-up with a five-wicket haul, Mumbai players like Sarfaraz Khan grabbed the headlines for their gritty batting.
Such moments highlight the advantage players from metropolitan cricket centres have, where media attention and historical cricketing prestige amplify performances.
Additionally, cricketing politics, though rarely acknowledged openly, can sometimes influence selections. Larger state associations wield more influence, which may inadvertently affect representation from less prominent regions.
This undercurrent of favouritism, though difficult to prove, is a sentiment echoed among local cricket circles in Nagpur.
Potential Pathways to Change
Addressing this issue requires both systemic changes and local initiatives. Nagpur’s cricketing fraternity could benefit from greater collaboration with national-level coaches and scouts.
Regular talent scouting camps, not just during tournaments but throughout the year, could help. Visualise young players practising at the VCA nets under the watchful eyes of former Indian cricketers, receiving real-time feedback. Such exposure could bridge the perception gap.
Increasing local players' participation in high-pressure matches is another solution.
Organising invitational tournaments in Nagpur featuring top domestic and international players could offer invaluable experience.
Picture an annual tournament at the VCA Stadium, where emerging Nagpur cricketers face IPL stars, drawing crowds and media attention. This exposure could significantly impact the players' mental fortitude and readiness for bigger stages.
Furthermore, mentorship programs involving past Vidarbha cricketers who have played for India could make a difference. Umesh Yadav mentoring young pacers like Yash Thakur or Darshan Nalkande in simulated match scenarios would be invaluable. Imagine a training camp where local bowlers consistently bowl to players like Ajinkya Rahane or Shreyas Iyer, honing their skills against top-tier talent.
Promoting awareness of these local talents is equally crucial. Cricketing stories often thrive on narratives built by the media.
Regional media outlets, along with national sports channels, could play a pivotal role in highlighting Nagpur’s cricketing achievements beyond mere match results. Consistent coverage can shape perceptions and attract broader recognition.
Nagpur’s cricketing story is one of promise, talent, and perseverance. While domestic successes have been noteworthy, the journey to national recognition remains complex.
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