Asia Cup 2022: Aakash Chopra Questions Mohammed Shami's Exclusion From India Squad

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami was one of the surprise exclusions from India’s Asia Cup squad named on August 8, Monday. The BCCI announced the 15-member squad with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul making a comeback to the Indian team. Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to a back injury as well as Harshal Patel with a rib injury. 

Meanwhile, Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the exclusion of Shami from the Asia Cup squad, especially in the absence of Bumrah. Shami was a part of India’s T20 World Cup squad last year and since then has not been the selectors’ plans for a recall in India’s T20 squad. Chopra said that Shami’s absence especially with Bumrah and Harshal not a part of the squad was beyond his understanding. 

Why Has Everybody Forgotten About Mohammed Shami: Aakash Chopra

“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.

Chopra further questioned the absence of Kuldeep Yadav in the Asia Cup squad as well. The Indian spinner picked up three wickets in the fifth and final T20 against West Indies. Kuldeep Yadav was unlucky to miss out on the South Africa and England series suer to injury. 

He took 21 wickets in IPL 2022 to make a case for his selection in India’s T20 squad but was still ignored for the multi-nation tournament. 

“I have nothing against Ravi Bishnoi, but why not Kuldeep Yadav,” questioned Aakash Chopra. 

India Squad For Asia Cup 2022

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

Stand by- Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: 3 Deserving Indian Players Who Missed Out On A Spot In India Squad For Asia Cup 2022