Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja slammed the selectors on Friday for "targetting" individuals and robbing the youngsters in the team of their confidence by their shabby treatment of players like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
Jadeja, who will be seen in action on the international stage for the first time in five years when he leads RCA XI against England in a warm-up game in Jaipur, also said the performance of the Indian team was being affected because of the look-ahead policy of the team management.
"The team management always talks about future but the present is also important. Selections should not be made too easy for anyone. Think about poor (VVS) Laxman who has been performing well but finds himself in and out time and again."
Asked about the booing Sachin Tendulkar was subjected to by his home crowd, Jadeja said, "people should think before speaking about Sachin. It shows how the media, board and people treat their heroes.
"Even Sourav Ganguly was given a bad treatment. It could be understood had he performed poorly but despite good performance he was treated shabbily.
"I believe selectors do the right things but any individual should not be targeted. They should keep their mind open. If India's most successful captain is treated in this shabby manner, then how would youngsters feel confident?"
Jadeja felt the Indian team still had a long way to go before it could become the number one side in the world.
"We always talk about becoming number one team. We have a long way to go. World Cup victory was way back in 1983. Now, especially in Tests, we have not performed well."
More from rediff