India’s 15-person roster for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 event was unveiled by BCCI on Monday. Former skipper Virat Kohli, who missed the West Indies tour and was benched for the ODIs against Zimbabwe, and vice-captain KL Rahul, who regained his fitness, were both back in the team. However, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah missed the bus due to a back ailment. While praising the team’s overall selection, former selection committee chairman Kiran More questioned the inclusion of senior Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
India chose two spinners and three all-rounders who can bowl spin for the Asia Cup, which starts on August 27 in the UAE. Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Ravindra Jadeja, and Deepak Hooda are also a part of the spin attack.
While More praised young Bishnoi for being called up to the Asia Cup squad and did not protest the team’s decision to include other spinners as spinners, he stated that he was surprised to see Ashwin’s name on the roster. After the selection was revealed, More told Star Sports that either Mohammed Shami or Axar Patel, a spinner, should have been selected by India in place of Ashwin.
“Even I was taken aback. How on earth could Ashwin join this team? Also each time. He was selected for the team even at the most recent World Cup but did not play. His IPL record is not that impressive, as you can see. Shami or Axar Patel, in my opinion, should have taken on that responsibility. Axar has also fared admirably. My player Shami will represent me at the World Cup. I want bowlers who can get wickets. Shami can get wickets with the new ball, in both the middle and slog overs, the man claimed.
The decision made by Ashwin has repeatedly been questioned by professionals. When Ashwin returned to the white-ball system after an eight-month absence, another former chairman of selectors, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, questioned Ashwin’s very place in India’s T20I squad.
A major question, really. In regards to Ashwin, I am completely perplexed. Why did he not get dropped, why was he not there, why didn’t he play T20 in England, and then why is he now playing T20 for the West Indies? We are all perplexed by it. Jadeja is your first spinner, for this reason. The second spinner is either Chahal, Axar Patel, Ashwin, or a backup spinner. Only two of these four will leave. Ideally…I don’t know Ashwin, but maybe it’s his all-around skills. But Chahal, who is the wrist spinner, would be my first choice, he said earlier this month during the West Indies tour told Fan Code.