'Yash Thakur played one IPL match and made it into the squad' - Mohammad Kaif slams management for ignoring RCB star for ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif was critical of some of the decisions made by the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The matches are set to be played in Harare later this month.

The selectors have rested some of the experienced fast bowlers and given opportunities to talented youngsters like Yash Thakur and Mayank Yadav. The former has received his maiden India call-up, while Mayank played his last game for the Men in Blue way back in October 2024.

However, Kaif noted that Thakur and Mayank didn't have great campaigns during the IPL this year. While Thakur played just one game for the Punjab Kings, finishing with figures of 2/55 in four overs, Mayank featured in four matches for the Lucknow Super Giants and went wicketless.

Kaif opined that Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rasikh Salam Dar should have been picked in the side after having a brilliant campaign for the Rajat Patidar-led side. The right-arm seamer picked up 19 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 9.46. The cricketer-turned-expert called Rasikh a highly skilled bowler and compared him to the legendary Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

“Rasikh Dar Salam took 19 wickets in the IPL. 19 wickets, and yet his name isn't being discussed anywhere. On the other hand, Yash Thakur played just one IPL match and made it into the squad. Mayank Yadav hasn't done much either. He played and ended up getting hit. You need to pick bowlers who have a winning mindset," Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“That's the most important thing, a winning mentality. Rasikh Dar Salam has been part of two IPL title-winning teams, and he played his role in those successes. He picked up 19 wickets and is a highly skillful bowler. Like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he may not look like an express fast bowler because of his build, but that's not what matters,” he added.