Asia Cup 2022: This Asia Cup Team Will Not Compete In The T20 World Cup, These Are Backup: Kiran More After Mohammed Shami's Exclusion

Updated - 09 Aug 2022, 12:53 PM

Kiran More
Kiran More. (Photo: Twitter)

Kiran More, a former chief selector, makes an astonishing claim regarding Mohammed Shami’s exclusion from the Indian team for the Asia Cup 2022.

Virat Kohli made his comeback in the 15-man team that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.

Mohammed Shami (Image Credits: Twitter)
Mohammed Shami (Image Credits: Twitter)

Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel were out because of injury, however, KL Rahul returned to the lineup after completing a full recovery, and the combination of Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar, and Axar Patel was listed as standbys. However, Mohammed Shami was not included in the Indian team, as per the former India top selector Kiran More.

Mohammed Shami
Photo Credit: (Getty Images)

The bowler has not been a part of the Indian T20I establishment since the World Cup last year, and despite putting in consistent work for Gujarat Titans when they won the Indian Premier League in 2022, Shami is still not included in the T20I squad. More believes he will not be surprised if Shami joins the team for the T20 World Cup later this year, despite his extended absence from the Indian team in the game’s shortest format.

‘Shami will definitely go to World Cup’: Kiran More

When questioned about Hardik’s status as a key all-around option, More stated that while the 28-year-inclusion old’s is essential, Shami is a “must” in the XI as a true fast bowler.

“Hardik made an impressive recovery, I thought. Now, he is bowling over 140. Such a player, who can score runs, take wickets, and be vigilant on the field, is what a captain wants. But I also want to make a point: Until Mohammed Shami joins the squad, this team will not compete in the World Cup. As part of their World Cup preparation, these backups are traveling there,” Kiran More said on Star Sports’ Follow the Blues.

Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Shami (Image Credits: Twitter)
Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Shami (Image Credits: Twitter)

“Shami needs to compete in the World Cup, I still think. Rahul Dravid follows a certain procedure and values having backups. Someone like Avesh Khan can be helpful in the World Cup if a bowler goes hurt. I am not sure how severe Bumrah’s injury is, but if he is healthy, he would travel with Shami to the World Cup,” Kiran More further said.

Bumrah’s back issue stopped him from joining the team. In a three-match ODI series against England in July, he made his last appearance for India.

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India National Cricket Team Jasprit Bumrah Kiran More Mohammed Shami