The 17-man squad announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for 2023 Asia Cup on Monday (August 21) was more or less on the expected lines, apart from Yuzvendra Chahal (a specialist leg-spinner) or Washington Sundar or Ravichandran Ashwin (spin-bowling all-rounders) getting snubbed. Post India's Asia Cup 2023 squad announcement, the biggest debate was over the spin department. Kuldeep Yadav was picked over Yuzvendra Chahal as the only specialist spinner. Overall, only three spinners were picked: Kuldeep Yadav (wrist spinner), Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. When captain Rohit Sharma was asked the reason behind it, he said that the management wanted to pick someone at number eight who could bat well to score runs and therefore Chahal was snubbed due to availability of two bowling all-rounders Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel.
Some critics and fans have suggested that Washington Sundar (off-spinner) or Ravichandran Ashwin (off-spinner) could have been preferred as well then as they both can bat at number 8 and selecting either of one could have given Rohit an option of fielding an off-spinner.
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar feels that the Indian squad selected for Asia Cup 2023 by Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is a good one. In fact, Gavaskar got angry when asked to share his views on Ravichandran Ashwin's omission from Asia Cup squad.
“Yes, there are a few players who will believe that they are lucky. But the team is selected. So don't talk about Ashwin. Stop creating controversy. This is our team now. If you don't like it, don't watch the matches but stop saying that he should have been picked or another should be there, this is a wrong mindset,” Gavaskar said on Aaj Tak.
Without naming any players who haven't been picked, Gavaskar said no one can claim that they were wronged.
"Yes, absolutely (this team can win the World Cup). Who else would you have picked? I don't think any player can claim that he has been an injustice to him. The experienced and in-form players have been selected in the 17-member Asia Cup squad," he said.
Gavaskar on team India's chances of winning Asia Cup or World Cup this year
"The team that has been selected for the Asia Cup is a good team. We should have the 15 for the World Cup from this team only. When you play for India, every match is important. You should always strive to win every match. And Asia Cup is a big tournament. But winning the World Cup is totally different, that can't be replicated by an Asia Cup win. So you have to look at the bigger picture. If they win Asia Cup, very good but the goal is to win the World Cup."