Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has picked Yuzvendra Chahal in his 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup whereas he has left out Shreyas Iyer, in a video posted by Star Sports. Chahal could not find a place in India’s Asia Cup squad as Indian skipper Rohit Sharma highlighted they want depth in their batting order.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer was added to the Asia Cup squad after regaining full fitness. Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar, the chief Indian selector, admitted that the World Cup squad will be almost similar to the Asia Cup team.
Srikkanth also omitted Tilak Varma from the Asia Cup squad for the World Cup. Earlier, the 1983 World Cup-winning player had said that he doesn’t want Varma to make his ODI debut in a big tournament.
Kris Srikkanth’s 15 for World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been added to the Asia Cup squad regardless of the fact that he is carrying a niggle, which is not related to his original injury. Srikkanth, who has served as a chief selector, observed a player should not be added to the main squad if he is carrying an injury. Sanju Samson has been added as a backup for KL Rahul.
“It’s being said that KL Rahul has a niggle. If you have a niggle, don’t pick him in the squad. If a player is not fit during selection, you shouldn’t pick him. That was our policy. On the day of selection, if a player is not fit, don’t select him. If you want to pick him for the World Cup, select him for the World Cup. That’s a different issue.
“Now they are saying that he might play after a couple of matches and that’s why we have picked Sanju Samson as a travelling reserve. What’s all this?” Srikkanth questioned.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.
India will take on Australia in their opening World Cup match at Chennai on October 8.
