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ICC World Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra Believes Washington Sundar Can Be Wildcard Entry In India's Squad For World Cup

ICC World Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra Believes Washington Sundar Can Be Wildcard Entry In India's Squad For World Cup

Published - 23 Aug 2023, 02:27 PM

Washington Sundar (Image Credits: Twitter)

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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up about the exclusion of young all-rounder Washington Sundar from the Rohit Sharma-led team for the Asia Cup 2023. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the selectors haven’t picked an off-spinner in the squad for the upcoming tournament.

Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel have been named as the three spin bowlers in the squad. Jadeja and Axar can provide similar roles to the team as spin-bowling all-rounders. Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin were overlooked by the selectors.

Washington Sundar Was Royally Ignored – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra emphasized that Washington Sundar needs to perform well in the upcoming games to have a chance of being included in the World Cup squad.

“Washington Sundar was royally ignored. He hasn’t been picked for the Asia Cup. He was a point of discussion but there is no off-spinner in the team. So this could be a change, there can be a wildcard entry.”

“If he picks up wickets with his off-spin and scores runs whenever he gets to bat, although he might not get batting here – if all of that happens, then Washington Sundar – tempting option.”

Sundar is currently representing India in the ongoing T20I series against Ireland. The off-spinner went wicketless in the first two games and faced only one delivery. He will also be a part of India’s second-string squad for the Asian Games, scheduled to be played in China next month.

They Shouldn’t Make A Change – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator predicted the same playing XI for the third and final T20I match against Ireland, stating that India wouldn’t be playing T20Is in the next two months.

“Am I expecting a change in the XI because we have won (the series)? Why should you change anything? Seriously, I feel they shouldn’t make a change. Play with the same team because after this T20, the next T20 will be after two-and-a-half months against Australia after the World Cup.”

“So when you are not going to play T20 cricket for such a long time, there will be the Asian Games in between but it’s not the same team that’s going to play, India’s B team will be going in any case as the A team will be playing the World Cup, I would say don’t miss this opportunity at all.”

The Jasprit Bumrah-led team will hope to whitewash the T20I series when they take on Ireland in the final match in Dublin on Wednesday, August 23.

Also read: Asia Cup 2023: Aakash Chopra Believes Sanju Samson Could Have Been Picked Ahead Of Tilak Varma And Suryakumar Yadav

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team Washington Sundar