Ravi Shastri Drops The "B*******" Word While Debating India's Asia Cup 2023 Spin Combination With Ex-BCCI Selector

17.08.2023 - 16:05 sports.ndtv.com

There is much intrigue regarding Indian cricket team's Asia Cup 2023 squad. While several other teams have announced the squad, the BCCI is playing the waiting game, especially with the fitness of few top stars who are making a comeback from injury being the concern.

Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer fall in that list. With India playing its Asia Cup match in Sri Lanka, the BCCI selectors might be tempted to go with an extra spinner.

This was the topic of discussion recently between former BCCI chief selectors Sandeep Patil (2012-16) and MSK Prasad (2016-2020) along with former India coach Ravi Shastri.

Patil chose Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as the three spinners. Shastri said even four spinners can be an option, with Axar Patel being the fourth one.

cricket India Cricket Team cup Ravichandran Ashwin Ravi Shastri Kuldeep Yadav Yuzvendra Chahal Ravindra Jadeja Australia India Sri Lanka

The Asia Cup 2023 is only a few days away from its commencement. While the campaign begins on August 30, the Indian team will kick-start its journey on September 02 against Pakistan. While winning the tournament will be on top of Team India's agenda, Rohit Sharma's men would also look to find out the right combination for the ODI World Cup which takes place later this year. Former India batter and coach, Sanjay Bangar, picked his 15-member Indian squad for the marquee event, adding a surprise name in the list.

"Since Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni Retired...": R Ashwin's Bold No. 5 Remark Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023

Middle-order has been a problem for the Indian team for a long time. After MS Dhoni's retirement, a number of players have been tried in the finisher's role but not many have been able to convince the selectors and team managment. As for the No. 4 spot, since Yuvraj Singh's exit from the team, there remains a big conundrum over the position. For Ravichandran Ashwin, the man who has been able impress in the middle-order since Dhoni and Yuvraj's departures, is KL Rahul.

"No Spinner Better Than Yuzvendra Chahal...": Harbhajan Singh On India Star's Asia Cup Snub

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has shared his views on Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion from the World Cup squad. The veteran leg-spinner failed to make the cut for the tournament as the Indian team management gave preference to Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. The 33-year-old has been in and out of the side over the last two years or so. He was part of the T20 World Cup squad last year but did not play a single game Down Under as India crashed out of the tournament in the semi-final.

"Must Be Tough...": Australia Great On Yuzvendra Chahal's 'Big' Asia Cup 2023 Snub

Former Australian cricket team opener Matthew Hayden called Yuzvendra Chahal's exclusion from India's Asia Cup 2023 squad 'big' and pointed out how tough it mush have been for the selectors considering they had another good option in Kuldeep Yadav. “There're some big omissions. Chahal in particular, that leg-spinner is such a superb player and (it) must be tough for the selectors because they've also got another one in Kuldeep (Yadav).... he's a superb player. So, they've gone for that as an option,” Hayden said. The explosive opener also backed young players Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma to make the opportunity count after they were named in India's squad for the Asia Cup.

Asia Cup 2023: Angry Ravichandran Ashwin Blasts Those 'Degrading' India Players, Blames 'IPL Warfare'

With the announcement of India's Asia Cup 2023 squad, there have been debates ranging in social media on whether it is a good squad. While most expected names got a call-up, a couple of them missed the berth. India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is not part of the squad, is irritated at such discussions. Ashwin talked about two players who were selected in the Asia Cup squad to drill home the point. One among them is Tilak Varma, who is yet to play an ODI, while the other is Suryakumar Yada, whose ODI form has been very bad, a fact accepted by the player himself.

Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin Impressed By Bowler Running Out Non-Strike Batter, Sparks Debate

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has often been subjected to unfair criticism for running out batters at non-striker's end for backing up too far, reignited the debate on the mode of dismissal. On Monday, Ashwin posted a video on social media in which a bowler run outs the batter at non-striker's end -- a dismissal that is still a matter of debate despite it not coming under cricket's 'unfair play' anymore. "Winning dismissal," wrote Ashwin on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a laughing emoji. "More awareness and mindfulness required towards the closing stages of a game," he added.