The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recently came forward to announce the 17-member squad that will be competing in the Asia Cup which is scheduled to begin on August 30 and will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The announcement saw many names like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer return to the squad after missing out for quite a few months due to injury. With the tournament right around the corner, one of the notable exclusions from the squad was that of star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
Team India opted for Kuldeep Yadav instead of Chahal, and many were of the opinion that it could be a similar story when the ODI World Cup’s squad gets announced. Seeing Chahal’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup squad, many ex-cricketers came forward to give their opinion on the same.
Former Australian batter Matthew Hayden opined that Chahal’s omission was a big one and that he is a superb player. "There are some big omissions. Chahal in particular, that leg-spinner is such a superb player and (it) must be tough for the selectors because they've also got another one in Kuldeep (Yadav).... he's a superb player. So, they've gone for that as an option," Hayden was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
I would have Chahal in my squad: Irfan Pathan
Furthermore, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan took to Twitter to share his thoughts on India’s squad. Pathan stated that it could be a worry for India as Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna come into the squad after injury, and also opined that he would have kept Chahal in his squad.
"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?" Irfan Pathan posted on 'X'.
Worry for selectors that Bumrah and prasidh coming back from long lay off. That’s one of the two reason you will see India team playing with an extra bowler who can bat. I would have chahal in my squad. What do you guys think? #AsiaCup
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 21, 2023
Legendary former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar also opined on the same. Stating that Chahal’s exclusion came with the side keeping their balance in mind, he pointed out Kuldeep Yadav’s ability as a batter.
"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 told India Today.
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