As soon as India announced their Asia Cup squad, fans raised concerns over leaving Yuzvendra Chahal behind. Many fans and cricket pundits criticised Indian team management for dropping Chahal again from a crucial tournament. However, India skipper Rohit Sharma and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar explained the reason behind it.
According to them, the lack of a batting option at number 8 is the reason behind Chahal’s exclusion. Rohit and Agarkar emphasised that Axar can support the lower middle order and that he is a left-hander, which puts him ahead of Chahal. “We couldn’t get Chahal in as we had only 17 slots. Doors are not closed for anyone, including Ravi Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Washington Sundar, for the World Cup,” Rohit said at the press conference.
Meanwhile, ace commentator Harsha Bhogle also echoed the same. Speaking about the squad, Harsha said that “neither of the four quicks picked or the two wrists available, is good enough to bat at No. 8, which means only one wrist spinner and two of the quicks can play. India has no choice but to play either Axar or Shardul every time. Makes it very difficult to find room for Chahal.”
“Welcome news that Iyer and Rahul are fit”, says Harsha Bhogle
Harsha further expressed his happiness as injured KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer made comebacks in the squad. He said, “Welcome news that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are fit enough. I presume they will feel their way back initially and be fully ready by the time the Australia ODIs begin, hence the larger squad. It’s good to see that all four quicks are available. It would have made a huge difference if one of those could have batted at 8.”
It is worth noting that India picked five pacers in the squad, including Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Out of them, only Shardul can bat at number 8, and he has a proven track record at that position. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal also expressed his anger with the squad selection. He posted two emoticons indicating that the sun will rise again hours after the squad announced.
Here is how fans reacted to Harsha Bhogle’s comments:
Yeah
— ARYAN_OP™ (@ARYAN__OP) August 21, 2023
If you cannot take ten wickets, then you won't keep winning matches if the opposition score 300+. A balanced side is essential. That said, in England's likely WC top 5, only Root can currently bowl (Stokes won't), & he does not do so very often in ODI because of Moeen/Rashid.
— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) August 21, 2023
What’s more irritating is Hardik keeps playing 5 pure bowlers and never using the guys like Tilak, jaiswal for an over or two. And he keeps lecturing bowlers win tournaments while our batting ends at 6. (All this while getting hammered by no 9 ranked WI)!
— bhuvy.eth (@BhuvyEth) August 21, 2023
Harsha Ji this is solution for same, Can leave Kuldeep, go with Top three quicks, Jadeja, Shardul and Hardik for bowling
Now Probable 2023 world Cup 11 –
1. Rohit
2. Gill
3. Kohli
4. Shreyas iyyer,
5. Kl Rahul
6. Hardik pandya
7. Ravindra Jadeja,
8. Shardul Thakur
9.…— Sachin Tripathi (@Sachintrp17) August 21, 2023
There was a time in Indian cricket, not too long ago, when almost every batter bowled a bit and quite a few bowlers were capable of creating an impact with the bat at no 8/9. In fact the squad that won us the 2011 World Cup was full of such players.
— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) August 21, 2023
Given that as our strength, I think we should have got in Ashwin and prepared proper test match kind of wickets.
That's our only hope.
On batting paradise, flat tracks, England and Australia, are way more dangerous.— Dr. Devashish Palkar (@psychidiaries) August 21, 2023
Everybody wants our number 8 and 9 to be able to bat but none of them are pointing out that the batters should also be able to bowl few overs! Hypocrisy perhaps? ?
— Fantasy Cricket Tips To Win (@FantasyTipToWin) August 21, 2023
This is the reason why we haven't been doing well in tournaments. Every single team that has done well in any major tournaments have had an all-rounder as a catalyst. Jadeja and Pandya will have to step up massively as a batter and bowler respectively.
— Febin (@febinvthomas) August 21, 2023
they haven't prepared all-rounders who can bat and bowl a bit like Pandya, they haven't given a long rope to these guys to make themselves available for slots 7 ,8 in past bhuvensh kumar did well
shivam dube, Venkatesh iyer, deepak chahar, shivam mavi ,
shardul thakur only…— benstokes.bnb (?,?) cars24.stark ?? (@adithya_yeddula) August 21, 2023
Tilak is a very good option harsha in tht case
— Amit Sharma (@AmitSharmaoffic) August 21, 2023
Hence instead of playing Axar on Flat track (when shardul is not considered), play Tilak hardik jadeja at 6,7 & 8.
— Gss?? (@Gss_Views) August 21, 2023
Absolutely sir! Batsmen win you matches but it’s the bowlers that win you tournaments.
— Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks) August 21, 2023
Despite having specialist batsmen it is India’s batting that usually collapses in crunch games. Bowlers have been doing fine job most times than not.
— Sai Vara Prasad (@Saivaraprasad3) August 21, 2023
Arre kehna kaya chahte ho??
— BHARAT (@bloggingpanda87) August 21, 2023
