The much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 is almost here, scheduled to begin on August 30. Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the Indian squad for this prestigious event. Rohit Sharma will lead as captain, with Hardik Pandya as vice-captain.
While some fresh faces like Tilak Verma made the cut, there were notable exclusions that have left cricket fans and experts wondering.
Shikhar Dhawan – The Gabbar of Indian Cricket:
Indian team’s veteran opener and fan favorite Shikhar Dhawan has been dropped from the Asia Cup squad. Gabbar was dropped from the team not long ago. Dhawan has not been included in the Indian ODI squad since the series against Bangladesh in December 2022.
He has produced good performances and good records for India in major tournaments. Shikhar is a big match player but he has not got a place in the team.
However, Dhawan might not be a part of India’s World Cup squad. The only reason is that the World Cup and Asia Cup squads will be almost the same.
Ravichandran Ashwin out from Asia Cup 2023
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also been left out of the Indian cricket team for the Asia Cup. Akshar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja have been given a chance to field instead. In the last several matches, both the players have performed brilliantly in both bowling and batting.
His brilliant performances have earned him a place in the 17-man squad, but veteran Ashwin has not made it. Ashwin has a record of 151 wickets in 113 ODI matches.
Yuzvendra Chahal – The Spin Wizard:
Yuzvendra Chahal’s absence from the Asia Cup squad is worrying. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been an important part of the Indian cricket team, is once again not part of the team in the big tournament. He was also left out of the 2021 T20 World Cup squad.
Although he made it to the 2022 T20 World Cup squad, he did not get a chance to showcase his skills on the field. Chahal’s exclusion has raised questions as to why he was excluded.
Sanju Samson – The Wicket-Keeping Controversy:
Veteran wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson, who has performed well as a wicket-keeper after Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has been named as the backup player for the Asia Cup 2023. He has not been given a place in the main team. Only when a player gets injured, he can join the team. Cricket fans are unhappy with this decision.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – The Swing Maestro:
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, known for his swing bowling skills and vast experience, has also been left out of the Asia Cup squad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the most experienced and fast bowler of the Indian team.
Bhuvneshwar, like Dhawan, has been dropped from the team a while back, but is struggling to make a comeback. His exclusion from India’s squad for the Asia Cup has raised questions over the team’s strategy.
A seasoned player like him has the strength to cope even in difficult situations with his swing bowling skills and abilities.
Rinku Singh – The Rising Star:
Rinku Singh, who made his debut for Team India against Ireland, was a contender for the Asia Cup squad, given his recent performances. Like Tilak Verma, he has the ability to perform in the lower middle order and be a valuable asset as a finisher.
His explosive batting in the second T20 against Ireland, where he scored 38 runs off 21 balls with a striking rate of 180, showcased his potential.
However, Rinku’s omission leaves room for speculation about the selection process.
The announcement of the Asia Cup 2023 squad has evoked mixed emotions among fans. While some promising talents made it, the absence of experienced players like Chahal, Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Samson’s limited role has raised questions.
Additionally, Rinku Singh’s exclusion has left fans wondering about the selection criteria and the team’s future vision. As we eagerly await the tournament, it remains to be seen how this squad will perform on the grand stage of the Asia Cup.
