IND vs PAK: 'Two Names I'd Like To Throw In...' - Tom Moody Picks Missing Players In Indian Squad For Asia Cup 2023

Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody picked players who he thinks are missing from the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023. Apart from Ravichandran Ashwin, he feels that team management should’ve picked Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh for the tournament. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023. The batting department looked quite settled as injured Shreyas Iyer as well as KL Rahul have returned after prolonged injuries. Also, they have kept Sanju Samson as a traveling reserve because of the fresh niggle that Rahul suffered. 

But in the bowling department, if one digs in, there are quite a few issues. India have not picked an off-spinner in the team and there isn’t any left-arm seamer as well, which of late has been a necessity for all teams. It was expected that Arshdeep Singh, who played in the T20 World Cup 2022, might be included but that wasn’t the case as they picked five right-arm pacers. 

Tom Moody feels that Ravichandran Ashwin’s absence isn’t the big issue because Kuldeep Yadav can fill that void. He also talked about Sanju Samson’s omission from the main squad, saying that there’s a logic behind his snub. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained: 

“I think Ashwin is one name that’s gonna be recurring in a lot of people’s heads around the selection particularly given that they have selected 17. There isn’t a genuine off-spinner in that squad but you know you have got Kuldeep who has been bowling away from the left-handed better. So I don’t see it being a major issue. 

“Sanju Samson, I can see the logic in him being on the bench there because the potential issue with KL Rahul. So you’ve got an immediate wicket-keeping battery backup.” 

IND vs PAK: Tom Moody says India should’ve picked Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh in their squad 

Tom Moody also batted for the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023. While talking about the batter, the former Australia cricketer feels that the team should’ve utilized his form and there isn’t any hot pick than him. 

For Arshdeep Singh, Tom Moody said that India should’ve added the variety in the team. He believes that his left-arm angle would’ve been vital for the team. He added: 

“Two names that i’d like to throw in the is one Yashasvi Jaiswal. Just his incredible run of form over the last 12 months. I know he hasn’t played 50-over cricket for India. But to me he is a sensational player and talk about picking players when they are hot you don’t get much hotter than what he is at the moment. 

“The other one is Arshdeep Singh. I thought they may have looked at just have a left-armer amongst their pace bowling battery just to give  them the variety of different angle.” 

.@TomMoodyCricket shares a list of players who he thinks India's squad will be missing for their competencies.

Who would you add to the list? ?

Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnStar
Aug 30 | 2 PM | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/icbpOViooG

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 27, 2023

Asia Cup 2023 will begin on 30th August with the final set to take place on 17th September. A total of 13 games will be played, out of which 9 will be played in Sri Lanka and 4 will be played in Pakistan. India will open their campaign on 2nd September against Pakistan.