'Performances in domestic cricket will always be rewarded' - WV Raman on India's selection policy

Former Indian cricketer WV Raman has outlined how India identifies and selects players from domestic cricket, emphasising that team requirements and specific gaps in the squad drive selection decisions. The former Tamil Nadu coach explained that performances at the domestic level are always considered, but the final choice depends on what the Indian team needs at any given time.

Raman stated that India looks at players who can perform particular roles in international cricket based on the team's current requirements and what it is lacking. He noted that once selectors identify a clear need, they focus on cricketers who can fill that gap, and if the team management believes those players are good enough, they are brought into the side.

"Performances in domestic cricket will always be rewarded, we've seen that happen, and quite obviously, and to be frank about how it is generally done, is that they look at players. Who can perhaps perform a particular role in international cricket given the way the team. Teams, given the team's requirements and what it is the team is lacking," said WV Raman to CricTracker's query during an interaction arranged by Sony Sports Network. 

How India identifies players from domestic cricket

Raman added that he is cautious about nominating specific players for selection, preferring instead to let performances speak for themselves. He explained that while many cricketers put up good performances in domestic cricket, the actual selection depends on what the Indian team needs at that moment.

"It's only then a certain set of cricketers will be focused upon more by the selectors, and then they're brought into the side if the selectors and the team management feels that these guys are good enough to come in, because that's where we need to close the gaps. Now, as to nominate players who are good enough to come, I generally am not a great fan of throwing names and saying these are the guys who should be picked," he added.

The off-spinner gap and R Ashwin's retirement

The off-spinner position has been a notable gap in India's squad since Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement from international cricket following the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane on December 18, 2024. Ashwin, a right-arm off spin bowler and lower order batter, was a key part of India's bowling attack for many years.

Raman used the off-spinner position as an example of how India approaches filling specific voids in the team. He explained that if a player performs exceptionally well over an extended period in a particular role where the team has a clear need, that player becomes a natural candidate for selection.

"Yes, if there is a clear case of. Some lack in the team, and then you say, okay, for example, if there's an off-spinner who's going to do extraordinarily well for three seasons, and then you see that we've not had a regular off-spinner since the retirement of Ashwin, then probably I would say, okay, this is the guy you have to look at. But otherwise, I think you would see a lot of cricketers put up good performances. It always is a case of what exactly is needed for the Indian team that will decide who's going to be picked from the top performers in domestic cricket," Raman concluded.