The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has made waves in the cricketing world with its recent announcement of India’s squad for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023, set to commence on August 30. The unveiling of the squad has ignited discussions, with many observers labeling it as a daring move by the cricket board.
One notable aspect of the squad is the inclusion of players who have seen little to no playing time recently. Star batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who had been sidelined due to injuries, have found their names on the roster. Additionally, fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, who were nursing injuries, have also made a comeback. Follow your favorite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
KL Rahul’s return, however, comes with a caveat. It has been revealed that he will miss the early matches of the Asia Cup 2023 due to a minor niggle. Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal expressed his reservations about this decision, questioning the selectors’ confidence in Rahul’s fitness without any match practice.
“I don’t think the selectors and team management are still sure whether KL Rahul is fit or not. What injury or niggle? They should have specified that. They have kept Shreyas Iyer. There’s still no surety about his fitness. They haven’t played any competitive cricket. They should have been picked after they had proved their match fitness. Batting in the nets and batting in the middle are two different things,” Madan Lal remarked.
Moreover, Lal expressed his astonishment at the absence of star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from the Asia Cup squad. Chahal, known for his ability to take crucial wickets, was considered a vital asset for India. Madan Lal found his omission from the squad to be particularly surprising.
“The thing that has surprised me the most is Yuzvendra Chahal’s absence. They said there should only be one wrist spinner. Chahal is a genuine wicket-taker and a match-winner. His absence was surprising. Yes, Axar Patel has done really well in the last two-three years. I’m not criticising him but you have Ravindra Jadeja to do what he does. You need wicket-takers if you want to win matches. Apart from Chahal’s absence and the inclusion of unfit players, the squad was largely on the expected lines,” Madan Lal expressed.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the Asia Cup 2023, the BCCI’s gamble in selecting this squad has undoubtedly added an element of intrigue to the tournament, with fans and critics alike eager to see how these decisions will play out on the field. Get free cricket betting tips from Nextbet Sports.
