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regular-article-logo Tuesday, 07 May 2024

Stop creating controversy: Sunil Gavaskar shuts up critics of chosen team for Asia Cup

The former India captain, in fact, believes that the squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup should be selected from the 17 chosen for the Asia Cup

Our Bureau New Delhi Published 23.08.23, 08:07 AM
Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar File picture

Sunil Gavaskar has criticised the critics who have questioned the Indian team selection for the Asia Cup saying there are no issues with the side picked.

The former India captain, in fact, believes that the squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup should be selected from the 17 chosen for the Asia Cup.

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Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was a notable omission from the squad, leaving India with only one wrist spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are the other spin bowling options in the squad that was named on Monday. Some have also wondered why senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also a very useful batter lower down the order, was not picked in the side.

"Yes, there are a few players who will believe that they are lucky. But the team is selected. So don't talk about Ashwin. Stop creating controversy. This is our team now."

"If you don't like it, don't watch the matches, but stop saying that he should have been picked or another should be there, this is a wrong mindset," Gavaskar told a television channel.

Gavaskar believes the team selection was fair and expressed his optimism in no uncertain terms.

Asked if he had faith in the team picked, the stalwart said: "Yes, absolutely (this team can win the World Cup). Who else would you have picked? I don't think any player can claim that there has been an injustice to him. The experienced and in-form players have been selected in the 17-member Asia Cup squad."

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, both returning from injury layoffs, have also been named in the squad for the Asia Cup, beginning August 31.

About Rahul, who has developed a new niggle and might not be available at least for the first match of the Asia Cup — against Pakistan on September 2 — Gavaskar said: "Let's see what his injury is like. Winning the Asia Cup is important but the goal is the World Cup. So if the team management wants KL Rahul in the World Cup squad, then I think it's right that they have selected him for Asia Cup despite a niggle.

Asked about the team's chances of winning the World Cup and Asia Cup, Gavaskar said: "The team that has been selected for the Asia Cup is a good team. We should have the 15 for the World Cup from this team only. You have to look at the bigger picture... The goal is to win the World Cup," he said.

With inputs from PTI

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