Batting great Sachin Tendulkar and other former and current India cricketers congratulated Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Rahul Tewatia after they were included in the Indian 19-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England.
Tendulkar also congratulated spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who missed out on making his debut for India during the Australia tour late last year due to a shoulder injury.
“Heartiest congratulations @ishankishan51, @rahultewatia02 & @surya_14kumar for your maiden call up to the Indian Team, and also to @chakaravarthy29, who missed out in Australia. Playing for (India) is the highest honor for any cricketer. Wishing you all a lot of success,” tweeted Tendulkar on Sunday.
Chakravarthy’s Kolkata Knight Riders teammate and former captain Dinesh Karthik also congratulated the spinner. “Couldn’t be more happier for this boy. Go well @chakaravarthy29 you deserve every bit of this selection #INDvsENG #T20Series,” Karthik tweeted.
“Finally the wait is over for @surya_14kumar congratulations buddy. Goodluck @ishankishan51 @rahultewatia02 for your debut guys,” former fast bowler Irfan Pathan tweeted.
Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh congratulated Yadav and Kishan in separate tweets.
“So good to finally @surya_14kumar in Team India Good luck,” read Harbhajan’s first tweet. “Congratulations @ishankishan51 very well to see him Team India..” he tweeted later.
“Congratulations to @surya_14kumar, @ishankishan51, and @rahultewatia02 for making it to the Indian team for the first time. Wish all of you a great future,” former fast bowler RP Singh wrote on Twitter.
The exclusion of Yadav from the Australia tour was particularly criticized by fans and former players after his consistent performances for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. Shortly after the team was announced for the tour, coach Ravi Shastri asked Yadav to be strong and patient in a tweet.
“Surya Namaskar. Stay strong and patient @surya_14kumar #MIvsRCB,” Shastri had tweeted in October 2020.
India’s T20I series against England will be played from March 12 to 20 in Ahmedabad. The two sides are currently locked in a four-match Test series which is tied 1-1 after two matches. The third will be a day-night Test and will be played in Ahmedabad from February 24.
