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Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal (Source- Twitter)
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Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal (Source- Twitter)Indian star leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was not picked up for the Asia Cup 2023, which is set to begin on August 30. Veteran Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar shared his opinion on Chahal's omission from the continental championship and said that Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel were picked ahead of the 33-year-old because of their batting abilities.
The Rohit Sharma-led side is going with two spinners for the continental championship starting on August 30 - Kuldeep and Axar. Moreover, in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023 named by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, a total of 17 players have been named, and Hardik Pandya has been named as the deputy for Rohit Sharma.
To fit two wrist spinners was difficult, so Chahal had to miss out: Ajit Agarkar
“Chahal was discussed, but sometimes it is the balance of the side we had to look at. Kuldeep has been really good, Axar has done well, but to fit two wrist spinners was difficult, so Chahal had to miss out,” Agarkar said during the announcement of the Asia Cup 2023 press conference
Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah are returning to the ODI squad after recovering from injuries for the continental championship, while Sajnu Samson has been selected as a reserve player in the squad, which takes the side total to 18 in the squad.
“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,” said Gavaskar while speaking to India Today.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal are taking part in Asia Cup 2023. All six teams are divided into two groups, A and B. India, Pakistan, and Nepal are in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh are on the opposite table. This year's Asia Cup fixtures are scheduled to be in the 50-over format, the most anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for September 2 in Sri Lanka.