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India have started their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Stadium after a slight delay from the scheduled time due to rain. There are many surprises for the cricket fans as Mohammed Shami and Surykumar Yadav were unable to find a spot in the playing XI.
Star pacer Shami’s exclusion from the playing XI has attracted a lot of mixed reactions from the Twetterati. While many are fine with the team management’s decision, others are furious about this call. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar during the commentary said, “Mohammad Shami would’ve been more threatening to Pakistan than Shardul Thakur. You talk about batting depth, but bowling depth matters too”.
Jasprit Bumrah makes comeback to ODIs
Jasprit Bumrah has made his comeback to the national side after a long span of injury, while KL Rahul is also back in the squad after surgery due to the injury that he suffered during the IPL 2023. Bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been given preference in place of Mohammed Shami, with a clear intent to solidify the batting of the team.
The 32-year-old pacer has an excellent ODI record, as the right-handed pacer has 162 wickets to his name in the 90 ODIs he has played so far.
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Here’s how Twitter reacted on the exclusion of Shami from India’s playing XI:
Sanjay Manjrekar said, "Mohammad Shami would've been more threatening to Pakistan than Shardul Thakur. You talk about batting depth, but bowling depth matters too". pic.twitter.com/p9N3gBsHIU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 2, 2023
Shardul Thakur instead of Shami#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/1VIsJuJiP2
— Rofl Democrazy (@FakeerHun) September 2, 2023
Why not Mohammed shami ?
— zorovibes (@siddhant_kota) September 2, 2023
‘At the end of the day we need to see what we can achieve as a team’
“Got to play good cricket, you need to embrace the challenge, embrace the situation. We had some time off after the West Indies series. Everyone was up for those drills and challenges in Bangalore. Let’s see what we can achieve in this tournament. It’s a quality tournament with quality oppositions. At the end of the day we need to see what we can achieve as a team,” said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma after winning the toss and deciding to bat first.
Talking about the game, the Men in Blue are in big turmoil as Rohit (11) and Virat Kohli (4) have been sent back to the pavilion by left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi.
