'His Presence In The Team Was Necessary': Harbhajan Singh Disappointed After This Indian Star Exclusion In Asia Cup Squad

The Haryana-based player had a below-average outing in the recently passed T20I series against West Indies as he scalped only five wickets in as many games.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh during day four of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India.

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Former India legend Harbhajan Singh commented on the Indian squad that was picked to take part in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. He shared his school of thought after ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal did not get the chance in the squad as Indian team management opted for Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Chahal has been in and out of the team over the years as despite being a part of the T20 World Cup squad last year he did not play a single game.

According to Harbhajan, Chahal is India’s best spinner in white ball cricket and said just on the back of a few bad games it does not prove that he is a bad bowler.

"The one thing I feel is lacking in the team is the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal. A leg-spinner who can get the ball to turn away. If you talk about genuine spinner, I don't think there's any spinner in India better than Chahal in white-ball formats. Yes, his last few games weren't good, but that doesn't make him a bad bowler," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

"I think his presence in the team was necessary. I hope the doors aren't closed to him. It's important to consider him for the World Cup because the tournament is in India. Chahal is a proven match-winner. I can understand his form isn't good, so you may have rested him. But I think if he was with the team, his confidence would've stayed intact. Any player who comes back after being dropped, the pressure to perform is always there," he added.

The Haryana-based player had a below-average outing in the recently passed T20I series against West Indies as he scalped only five wickets in as many games. Previously, on Monday, the BCCI announced the Indian squad for the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, returned to the 50-over setup. Young guns like Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna were also included in the Asia Cup 2023 ODI squad.