With the impending start of the Asia Cup 2023 on August 30, Team India are gearing up for the cricketing spectacle set to unfold in co-hosting nations Sri Lanka and Pakistan. As the anticipation builds, the Indian cricket fraternity was taken aback by a few surprises when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled India’s squad for the tournament. Among the notable inclusions and exclusions, the absence of veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from the 18-member roster sparked discussions.
India’s campaign in the Asia Cup will kick off with a high-stakes match against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2. The team’s squad encompasses a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, reflecting the nation’s deep reservoir of cricketing prowess.
However, the omission of Chahal raised eyebrows, particularly given his consistent contributions as a linchpin in India’s white-ball teams throughout the years. The exclusion becomes more significant considering the dearth of a leg-spinning option in the squad—a strategic element often prized in limited-overs cricket.
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AB de Villiers shares disappointment over chahal’s absence
One of Chahal’s former colleagues and esteemed cricketing talent, AB de Villiers, voiced his disappointment at the spinner’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad. De Villiers, who shared the field with Chahal as part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), expressed his views on the matter through a video on his YouTube channel.
In the video, De Villiers remarked, “Chahal has been dropped, selectors making their intentions clear who they will be picking. It’s a bit of a disappointing drop for me, Yuzi is always very handy and it’s great to have the leg-spinning option in your team. We know how skillful he is.”
The South African cricketer’s sentiments resonate with the cricketing community’s observations, with several former Indian players also expressing surprise over Chahal’s absence. The spotlight now turns to the unfolding Asia Cup 2023 tournament, where India’s selection choices will be put to the test as they vie for supremacy against Asian nations.
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India’s Asia Cup Squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Stand-by player: Sanju Samson
