Legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has questioned the exclusion of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Team India’s ODI squad. Kishan has represented India in the fifty-over format, and despite scoring a double hundred, the southpaw hasn’t been given opportunities in this format of the game. Abhishek has been a revelation in the shortest format, but the decision-makers haven’t considered him for one-day internationals.

Sooryavanshi, who impressed everyone by his exploits in the 20-over format, is waiting for regular chances. He is often benched, with the captain and coach preferring Sanju Samson and Abhishek. There is no chance for the young batter to compete in 50-over matches.

“I would love to see him (Abhishek Sharma) in the ODIs, to be honest. I have said this before: if we are not picking players like Ishan Kishan, Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 50-over cricket, then somewhere down the line, we are not doing justice to our talent,” Yuvraj told PTI on the sidelines of the launch of Protocol 32.

“I understand we have some great players and it is hard to make a spot for them. I think the way they are performing, they should be in the squad soon, hopefully. Whatever he has achieved is because of his hard work, and credit goes to him,” he added.

India will now compete in five ODIs against New Zealand, with all the senior players, barring Jasprit Bumrah, in the squad. The visitors are leading the ongoing five-match T20I series by a margin of 3-1, having won three consecutive contests before losing the last game.

Kishan returned to the playing XI after missing two games due to injury. He hasn’t been able to fire with the bat so far.