"Picked for Test cricket on the back of IPL performances" - Former RCB star takes a dig at Indian selectors after IND vs SA 2025 series

Former cricketer Robin Uthappa expressed his displeasure over the Indian selectors picking players in the Test team based on Indian Premier League (IPL) performances. His comments came after the side's 0-2 drubbing against South Africa in the recently concluded two-match series.

The 40-year-old suggested that the pattern has been going on for a while now. He gave his own example, noting that he never got a Test cap despite scoring a lot of runs in domestic cricket.

Uthappa said in a live session on his YouTube channel:

"This has been a perennial thing that's bothered me about Indian cricket. There are guys who are picked for Test cricket on the back of IPL performances. I felt really bad about that when I was playing because I would work my ass off to score runs in domestic cricket just to get that Test cap, but that never happened. There'd be guys who'd get picked ahead of me based on white-ball performances."

South Africa completely dominated the opposition in the two-match Test series. The Proteas claimed their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years. For the hosts, it was their second Test series whitewash at home in the span of 12 months.

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"No one is really talking about the players" - Robin Uthappa on Team India head coach receiving majority of the flak post IND vs SA 2025 Tests

Robin Uthappa pointed out that Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has been subjected to harsh criticism from fans following the side's disappointing performances. However, he opined that the critics should also shift their attention towards the players.

The cricketer-turned-commentator remarked in the same video:

"What's good is, a lot of what Gauti is doing is working in white-ball cricket. Does that mean it will also work in red-ball cricket? Not necessarily. I definitely think you need specialists there.

"But I think one of the things that we are all missing is the fact that no one is really talking about the players and the ownership that the players should take. Everyone is going after the coach. A lot of valid points are there about his style or the discrepancies that exist in Test cricket, but very little has been spoken about what the players are doing. I think ownership needs to be taken a little bit more by the players," he added.

The Men in Blue will now compete in a three-match ODI series against South Africa. The opening encounter takes place in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.