Former Indian Player Akash Chopra was surprised by Arshdeep Singh’s inclusion in India squad for Asian Games 2023, saying he is a bowler who can play all three formats
Arshdeep Singh’s inclusion in India Squad
Team India’s squad for the Asian Games 2023 was announced on Friday. As the Asian Games schedule coincides with the ODI World Cup, the BCCI has named a second-string Indian team for Asian Games in Hangzhou.
The men’s cricket in the continental event will be held from September 28-October 8. The team will be led by Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who also features the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Arshdeep Singh, and others. Out of all the players, former India opener Aakash Chopra was surprised by including Arshdeep in the squad.
The pacer is one of the four seamers picked in the 15-member Indian squad for the continental event.
Punjab Kings star pacer Arshdeep has played 26 T20Is and 3 ODIs for Team India and is known for his brilliant bowling skills. Arshdeep has not been included in the upcoming ODIs against West Indies. However, he has been named in the upcoming five-match T20Is against the Caribbeans.
He has picked a total of 41 wickets with a best of 4/37. He made an impact in the T20 World Cup 2022 after dismissing Babar Azam on the first ball in the tournament.
Akash Chopra on Arshdeep’s selection for Asian games
Chopra stated it’s shocking that the team is not considering Arshdeep for the ODI World Cup.
“I am surprised Arshdeep Singh’s name is on this team. I am surprised because they are not considering him for ODIs at all. You didn’t consider him for the ODIs as well in the West Indies,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“Now you are not considering him for the Asia Cup and are already keeping him out of the World Cup list. What has happened? When I see Arshdeep Singh, it seems like there is a huge upside, he is a player for the long haul and can play all three formats, at least both white-ball formats, but they have not kept him currently,” he added.
The former India player also argued the inclusion of Mukesh Kumar in the Asian Games squad and says the Indian team is probably looking to someone like Umran Malik as the fourth pacer for the World Cup.
Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are expected to be India’s frontline pacers along with a returning Jasprit Bumrah. It is to be seen who the Indian team go for to deputize the pace trio.
In the two ODI innings that Arshdeep played for India, he failed to pick up a wicket and allowed an average of 6.75 runs per over. On the other hand, the Punjab Kings seamer has claimed 41 wickets in 26 T20Is and now he is only been considering India’s plan for the shortest format.
Indian men’s squad for Asian Cup
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dube, Prabhsimran Singh (wk).
Standby list of players: Yash Thakur, Sai Kishore, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Sai Sudarsan.
