‘Don’t think about a player…’: Sunil Gavaskar’s ‘Injustice’ introduces India’s 2023 Asian Cup squad | Cricket News

Addressing those questioning the Indian team's selection for the upcoming Asian Cup, an angered Sunil Gavaskar claimed that this 17-man squad should form the core of the 15-man World Cup squad. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was a notable omission from the squad, leaving India with just one wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are the other spin bowling options in the roster named Monday. Few also wondered why senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also a very useful hitter further down the line, was not included in the team. “Yes, there are a few players who think they are lucky. But the team is chosen. So don't talk about Ashwin. Stop stirring up controversy. This is our team now.”

“If you don't like it, don't watch the games, but stop saying he should have been picked or that there should be someone else. That's a wrong attitude,” Gavaskar told Aaj Tak.

Both Jadeja and Axar have demonstrated their batting skills across all formats and will add depth to India's lineup.

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were also called up to the team for the tournament starting August 31, while highly rated young hitter Tilak Varma was called up to the one-day format for the first time.

Gavaskar thought the team selection was fair and expressed optimism for the Asian Cup and the World Cup.

“Yes, absolutely (this team can win the World Cup). Who else would you have chosen? I don't think a player can claim to have been wronged. The experienced and in-form players were selected.” “We are part of the 17-man Asia Cup squad,” said Gavaskar.

Gavaskar also backed the decision to pick Rahul, who has developed a new problem and may not be available for the continental tournament's first game against Pakistan on September 2.

“Let's see how his injury looks. Winning the Asian Cup is important, but the goal is the World Cup. So if the team leadership wants KL Rahul in the World Cup squad, then I think it's right that they picked him for the Asian Cup anyway.” an annoyance.

“As for India, there are 11 days left. That's enough time to recover from a crisis. And there are other games too, until mid-September. I think it would be fair to give KL Rahul (a chance) after everything he has done for India in the past to give him a chance to recover,” Gavaskar said.

When asked about the team's chances of winning the World Cup and Asian Cup, Gavaskar said it was a good team.

“The team selected for the Asian Cup is a good team. Only from this team should we have the 15 for the World Cup. When you play for India, every game matters. You should always strive to win every game.”

“And the Asian Cup is a big tournament. But winning the World Cup is something completely different, which cannot be repeated by winning an Asian Cup. So you have to look at the big picture. If they win the Asian Cup, that's very good, but that.” “The goal is to win the World Cup,” he said.