The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a power-packed 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup on Monday, August 21. The Asia Cup 2023 event will get underway next week and will serve as a perfect platform for the teams to prepare for the important ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which will commence from October 5 in India.
With the World Cup on the cards, the team assembled by the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for the Asia Cup has now become even more significant as it is likely to be the same line-up that will be representing India in the mega ICC event. Although many appreciated the team selection and were happy with the balanced squad, the omission of India’s star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t go down well with many and left a few veteran cricketers divided over the management’s decision.
Sourav Ganguly unhappy with Yuzvendra Chahal’s snub:
India’s former skipper and ex-BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly, wasn’t thrilled with the selector’s call to snub Chahal from the squad. He emphasized that he would have definitely picked the wrist-spinner if he were to pick the team then.
“I would pick Chahal. I would always pick wrist-spinners,” Ganguly told PTI.
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Irfan Pathan echoes Ganguly’s take:
Veteran India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also echoed Ganguly’s views and seemed disappointed with the absence of Chahal from the team. He took to his social media to express his views and wrote that he would have gone with the Haryana spinner even though the Indian team might need an extra bowler who could bat.
“Worry for selectors that Bumrah and Prasidh coming back from long lay off. That’s one of the two reasons you will see Indian team playing with an extra bowler who can bat. I would have Chahal in my squad. What do you guys think?” tweeted Pathan.
Sunil Gavaskar backs BCCI’s decision:
However, legendary Sunil Gavaskar was not much surprised by Chahal’s exclusion and highlighted why the 33-year-old cricketer was not included in India’s squad. Gavaskar underlined Kuldeep Yadav‘s batting ability and extra variations that gave him an edge over Chahal.
“Sometimes you’re looking at the balance of the team. Maybe, you can say that Kuldeep is a handy batter down the order, so maybe that’s why he gets the nod ahead of Chahal. Also, he brings a left-hand variety.” Gavaskar said in an interaction with India Today.
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