Asia Cup 2023: Sometimes It Is The Balance - Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar Open Up About Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin's Omission

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar opened up about the non-selection of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin for the Asia Cup 2023. They admitted that they had a deep discussion about that but the balance of the team didn’t allow them to pick two wrist spinners.

India on Monday (21st August) announced the team for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, slated to be played from 30th August to 17th September. Rohit Sharma will be captaining the team whereas Tilak Varma has been included in the team. The biggest positive for them was both Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were back after a prolonged injury.

But what caught the attention of many was Yuzvendra Chahal was dropped from the team. The leg spinner has been a regular feature in the Indian team for the ODIs but Kuldeep Yadav’s recent performances meant no space for the former. Chahal has been a terrific bowler for the team in the middle order and his exclusion wasn’t expected.

India also hasn’t named any wrist spinner in the team. Since the last few days, there were many murmurs that team management might bring in Ravichandran Ashwin. But that wasn’t the case as Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel were the three frontline spinners in the team.

Rohit Sharma talked about the omission of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, stating that they were tempted by Axar Patel’s ability to bat down the order. He also added that doors aren’t closed for two veteran spinners but they couldn’t afford to drop seamer from the team.

Speaking during the press conference, he explained: “We had a deep discussion on off-spinner and leggie. What boiled down to was the batting option at 8 and 9. Axar had a good run with the bat this year in white ball, he played really well in IPL as well.

“Door not closed on anyone. Ashwin, Washi and Chahal were discussed but we needed some depth with batting too. And Axar can do that job for us. Also, seamers are going to play an important role in the next 2 months. So can’t afford to drop a seamer for a spinner.”

Asia Cup 2023: Chahal was discussed, but sometimes it is the balance of the side – Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar also gave his opinion on the same topic. He said that they discussed about the inclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal in the team but the balance of the team didn’t allow them to take two wrist spinners.

He elaborated: “Chahal was discussed, but sometimes it is the balance of the side we had to look at. Kuldeep has been really good, Axar has done well, but to fit two wrist spinners was difficult, so Chahal had to miss out.”

The Indian team will be heading to NCA in Bengaluru for the camp. The training will start from August 24th before flying to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup. They will open their campaign on 2nd September against Pakistan in Kandy.