'You Actually Pick Bowlers On Basis Of Their Batting?': Ex-India Cricketer On Yuzvendra Chahal's Omission From India's ODI World Cup Squad

Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma made it clear that the focus was on having such bowlers in the team who could also contribute with the bat.

India's ODI World Cup 2023 squad: Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra was left surprised with Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee's decision to ignore senior leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from India's 2023 ODI World Cup 15-member provisional squad. Chopra  questioned selectors' decision to pick Axar Patel in India's World Cup 2023 squad over Yuzvendra Chahal based on his ability to bat effectively.

The selectors went with two left-arm spinners Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and one left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. During the presser, Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit made it clear that the focus was on having such bowlers in the team who could also contribute with the bat. Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur are the other two bowling all-rounders picked in India's ODI World Cup 2023 team.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: 

"I feel there was a toss-up between Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal. I understand you need batting at No. 8, if you have it it's fine, but what do you do if you don't have it? Do you actually pick bowlers on the basis of their batting?"

"You can get depth by either having a batter at No. 8, or your top six plus Jadeja are in good form and they take responsibility and make sure that you don't miss a No. 8 batter. I will go with the latter."

We have been lacking depth in our batting for last few years: Rohit Sharma on India's ODI World Cup 2023 squad

"We need to create that depth (in batting and bowling) as it was lacking in our team for the last few years. When we talk about depth in batting, that No. 9, No. 8 positions become very crucial," said Rohit.

Rohit Sharma hoped that players like Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur will be able to contribute with some crucial runs in the backend of the innings which at times can be a deciding factor.

"In the first game here (against Pakistan) we saw that we fell short in the backend. We want tailenders to contribute too.

"Another 10-15 runs in that game would have made a difference. It is the margin between winning and losing. We have spoken to them and told them to don that role too in the WC," said Rohit.

India's Cricket World Cup 2023 squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.