Aakash Chopra lashed out at selectors for ignoring Mohammed Shami in the Asia Cup 2022 squad. Krishnamachari Srikkanth said that the veteran pacer should have been given an opportunity in Asia Cup 2022 to strengthen India’s pace attack.
India announced their 15-member Asia Cup squad on Monday 8th August. The pace bowling line-up did not have the likes of injured pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel and ignored Mohammed Shami as well. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, saw the return of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, something that was on the expected lines ahead of the T20 World Cup.
However, the biggest shocker the squad had was the exclusion of Mohammed Shami, who was not included despite the injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, who were ruled out of the tournament.
Aakash Chopra Didn’t Know Why Mohammed Shami And Kuldeep Yadav Were Excluded From Asia Cup 2022 Squad
Aakash Chopra said that the pacer Mohammed Shami‘s exclusion was beyond his understanding as his IPL figures are well.
“Why everybody has forgotten about Mohammed Shami is beyond me. He has performed well, his IPL numbers are great. I think if it was a race between Avesh Khan and Mohammed Shami, I will go with Mohammed Shami with my eyes closed. Nothing against Avesh, but I feel that Shami should have been given a chance with the new ball in the absence of a Jasprit Bumrah,” said Aakash Chopra.
“I have nothing against Ravi Bishnoi, but why not Kuldeep Yadav,” he further added.
It is worth noting that Mohammed Shami bagged 20 wickets in 16 matches for the IPL 2022 champions Gujarat Titans and has picked up 216 Test and 152 ODI wickets in his career while leading the pace attack numerous times for Team India.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth Also Feels India Is A Medium Pacer Short In Asia Cup 2022
Former India batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who accompanied Aakash Chopra in the show reflected the same sentiments and said that India had gone a medium pacer short for the tournament.
“I think we are a medium pacer short. I think in my team Shami would have been there. Also, I still believe that Axar Patel would have been a strong contender for a spot in the squad,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth said.
Mohammed Shami’s exclusion from Team India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 has raised a number of eyebrows. The BCCI announced the squad for the continental championship on Monday (August 8).
The national selectors picked only three frontline pacers for the team. Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with youngsters Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan will take care of the pace department.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned to the squad after being rested for the five-match T20I series against the West Indies while there was no room for keepers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
India Squad
Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Chahar, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan
Back-up: Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Axar Patel.