Indian bowlers in Asia Cup 2023 squad: A 17-man Indian squad for Asia Cup 2023 has been announced by Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee on Monday (August 21). Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have been named in the ODI team. Apart from them, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been appointed as skipper Rohit Sharma's deputy.
No "Kul-Cha" in Asia Cup 2023!
Yuzvendra Chahal, one of India's highest wicket-takers in white-ball cricket, won't feature in the six-team continental tournament. The leg-spinner has been snubbed by the selectors in Asia Cup squad. So far in 2023, the leg-spinner has picked just three wickets in two ODIs and wasn't even part of India's playing XI against West Indies in the recently concluded ODI series.
Here's what BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar said on Yuzvendra Chahal's omission from India's Asia Cup 2023 squad: "You can’t fit in two wrist spinners and at the moment Kuldeep is ahead of Chahal."
Axar Patel has picked three wickets in six ODIs he played for team India in 2023, so far. He scored 64 runs while batting well down the order.
Captain Rohit Sharma explained why he opted for Axar Patel over Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin in the 15-member team. The senior opener said Axar’s ability with bat gives the team an edge, a long batting depth.
Here's what captain Rohit Sharma said: "It boils down to batting option at no 8-9. Axar has had a good run with the bat. Allows us to have a left hander and create a long batting depth. We thought about Ashwin and Washington Sundar but just like Yuzvendra Chahal missed out is the reason why Ash missed. Couldn't leave a seamer out. Also many are making it back after a long time. The door isn't closed for anyone."
India Squad For Asia Cup 2023: 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
Traveling stand-by player: Sanju Samson