The BCCI announced India’s 15-man team for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 competition on Monday. Both vice captain KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli were back in the lineup after missing the West Indies tour and the ODIs against Zimbabwe. However, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah missed the bus due to a back problem. Former selection committee chairman Kiran More praised the overall team selection but questioned the inclusion of senior Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
India has named three all-rounders and two spinners for the Asia Cup, which starts on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ashwin are also part of the spin attack.
More was surprised to see Ashwin’s name on the roster, but he praised young Bishnoi for making the Asia Cup team and did not object to the team’s decision to play other spinners in that position. Following the announcement of the lineup, More told Star Sports that India should have chosen a spinner, either Mohammed Shami or Axar Patel, instead of Ashwin.
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“Even I was taken aback. How is Ashwin a member of this group? every time as well. He was chosen for the squad but did not play in the most recent World Cup. As you can see, his IPL record isn’t particularly impressive. Shami or Axar Patel, in my opinion, should have taken on that task. Axar has also performed admirably. Shami, one of my players, will represent me at the World Cup. I’m looking for wicket-taking bowlers. Shami, according to the man, can take wickets with the new ball in both middle and slog overs.
On numerous occasions, professionals have questioned Ashwin’s decision. When Ashwin returned to the white-ball system after an eight-month absence, another former chairman of selectors, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, questioned Ashwin’s very place in India’s T20I team.
In fact, it’s a significant question. I’m not sure what Ashwin is on about. Why is he now representing the West Indies in T20 cricket? Why was he not dropped, why wasn’t he present, why didn’t he play T20 in England? It has us all perplexed. As a result, Jadeja is your starting spinner. The second spinner is Chahal, Axar Patel, or Ashwin, the backup spinner. Only two of these four will leave. Ideally… I don’t know Ashwin, but it could be because of his versatility. But Chahal, the wrist spinner, would be my first choice, he told Fan Code earlier this month while on tour in the West Indies.
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