Following the unveiling of the Asia Cup 2023 roster, legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar had a fairly severe message for cricket fans. On Monday, captain Rohit Sharma and BCCI head selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 17-person team. Discussions about the selections and omissions, namely Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, then ensued. Gavaskar made several comments during his analysis, but he was clear that because the team has already been selected, the supporters should focus on rallying behind them rather than stirring up ‘controversy’ over the selections. Scroll down to read more scoop about the Sunil Gavaskar Slams Fans Over Asia Cup 2023 Squad Selection.
Sunil Gavaskar Slams Fans Over Asia Cup 2023 Squad Selection
Sunil Gavaskar, a former captain of India, believes that the Indian team chosen by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for the Asia Cup 2023 is a decent one. Gavaskar lost his cool when asked about Ravichandran Ashwin’s exclusion from the Asia Cup team.
The largest discussion following India’s 2023 Asia Cup squad announcement was about the spin department. Yuzvendra Chahal was passed up in favor of Kuldeep Yadav as the lone specialist spinner. Only three spinners were chosen in total: wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. When asked why, skipper Rohit Sharma responded that the decision was made because Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel, two bowling all-rounders, were available and the management wanted to choose someone at number eight who could bat effectively and score runs.
Since both Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin can bat at number 8, several critics and supporters have stated that they should have been chosen instead since doing so would have provided Rohit the option of fielding an off-spinner.
Sunil Gavaskar On Squad Selection
Gavaskar stated on Aaj Tak, “Yes, a small percentage of players will think they are lucky. But a squad is chosen. Don’t bring up Ashwin, then. Stop stirring up conflict. This is our current team. This is a terrible attitude. If you don’t like it, don’t watch the matches, but stop arguing that he should have been selected or that another should be there.”
Well explained by Sunil Gavaskar Sir. 😎#KLRahul | #AsiaCup2023 | #BCCIpic.twitter.com/X5m4bVVpn5
— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) August 21, 2023
The former captain raised an intriguing argument about the absence of Chahal and Sanju Samson. According to India Today, he continued, “Sanju Samson would have been a lock for the team. If he had scored more runs. Chahal is the same way. However, there are occasions when you are considering the team’s balance. The fact that the selectors are considering several factors, such as fielding and what they can do with the bat, sometimes limits their options.”
India’s Asia Cup 2023 campaign will kick off with a game against Pakistan.
