Indian Cricket Team will be really disappointed with their Early Exit from the Asia Cup. Indian Team lost two consecutive matches in the Super 4 stage of the tournament against Pakistan and Sri Lanka which cost them their place in the finals of the Asia Cup 2022. However, there are some positives from this year’s Asia Cup, and the return of Virat Kohli is major among them.
Indian Cricket Team was playing without Ace Pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the match but the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal also failed to make an impact. Young fast bowler Avesh Khan has all but lost his chance to make it to the team for the T20 World Cup after being taken for runs in the group stage, in which India had dominated.
This has led to many former players questioning why India is not considering senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the tournament that will be held in Australia later this year. Shami was the highest wicket-taker for the Gujarat Titans as they won the IPL title in their maiden season but last played a T20I for India in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Virender Sehwag Lashes At Indian Team Management
Former Indian Opener, Virendra Sehwag exclaimed on Cricbuzz that India not considering Shami, especially when the T20 World Cup is set to be played in Australia, is a wrong move. He said, “It’s a wrong thought process (about Shami not being in T20I plans). Two years ago, even (Ravichandran) Ashwin wasn’t in your plans. But if your two bowlers were injured, you could have picked Shami for his experience in the Asia Cup.”
Former Star Batter also enquired about not giving chance to Shami when Avesh was unavailable. Adding to his statement, he said, “When Avesh was unavailable, Shami would have played. I understand you want to give youngsters a chance, but in Australia you also need experience. Shami will be handy on those fast pitches.”
Former Head Coach, Ravi Shastri, who was also the part of Expert Panel backed Shami. Shastri said, “When you need to win, you got to prepare better. I think the selection could have been better, especially for the fast bowlers. You know the conditions here. There’s not much in it for the spinner. I was quite surprised that you came here with just four fast bowlers (including Hardik).”
“You needed that extra one… someone like Mohammed Shami sitting at home and cooling his heels baffles me. After the IPL he had, for him not to be able to make the cut is… Obviously, I’m seeing something different.”