On Monday, the Indian team for the Asia Cup was announced and players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were seen returning. For the competition, which will start on August 27, Rohit Sharma will serve as the team’s captain, and Rahul will serve as his deputy. India and Pakistan will play each other in their opening match. Due to a back ailment, Jasprit Bumrah has been forced to withdraw from the series. However, many are baffled by Mohammad Shami’s exclusion from the squad.
Former Indian selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has questioned this. Srikanth said Mohammad Shami would definitely be present if he had to choose the India team for the Asia Cup. It is significant to remember that Shami last participated in a T20 International for India during the World Cup of 2014, and he hasn’t done so since then.
“In my team, Shami was literally there. If I was the Chairman of the selection committee, I think Shami would have been there and probably, I would not have gone with Ravi Bishnoi. But I still believe that Axar Patel was a serious contender in my team. It would have been a big toss-up between Axar Patel and Ashwin”
SRIKKANTH SAID ON STAR SPORTS’ SHOW ‘FOLLOW THE BLUES’.
Also Read: India’s Squad for Asia Cup 2022: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul Returns
KL Rahul returns; Bumrah and Harshal ruled out
After overcoming an injury and COVID-19, KL Rahul rejoined the Indian team as vice-captain. In the roster of 15, there are two choices for wicketkeeping: Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. Along with three skilled spinners: Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi. The two all-rounders are Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya.
“I think the squad is pretty good but I think we would need one more medium pacer. We are going with one medium pacer short. Two wrist spinners is fine. I feel bad for Axar Patel, who has missed out. I am very happy for Deepak Hooda – he can bowl a bit, he’s a good hitter and he’s a good striker of the ball. What I like about Deepak Hooda is that he’s a good striker of the ball, he’s a flirter. Otherwise, this squad is a fantastic squad, only feel bad for Axar Patel,”
SAID SRIKKANTH
“I think the squad is pretty good but I think we would need one more medium pacer. We are going with one medium pacer short. Two wrist spinners is fine. I feel bad for Axar Patel, who has missed out. I am very happy for Deepak Hooda – he can bowl a bit, he’s a good hitter and he’s a good striker of the ball. What I like about Deepak Hooda is that he’s a good striker of the ball, he’s a flirter. Otherwise, this squad is a fantastic squad, only feel bad for Axar Patel. I still believe that he’s a good bowling all-rounder, may be in Australia conditions. I am not going for just the Asia Cup, but yes, this must be a blue print for the ICC T20 World Cup also.”
SAID SRIKKANTH.
Deepak Hooda and Suryakumar Yadav are the two batting options. In Bumrah’s absence, the pacers will be led by the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar with youngsters Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh taking forward the pace attack.
Death overs specialist Harshal Patel is also out due to injury. Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel and Deepak Chahar have been named as standbys. In a separate note about Bumrah and Harshal, the board added:
“Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel were not available for selection owing to injuries. They are currently undergoing rehab at the NCA in Bengaluru.”
