CWC 2023: “You won't be able to create a place,” Aakash Chopra expects Chahal to be left out of India’s World Cup squad

Yuzvendra Chahal was also not considered in India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup.

By Salman Anjum - 27 Aug, 2023

Yuzvendra Chahal's omission was one of the highlights of India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad announced by the BCCI men's selection committee on Monday (August 21).

The wrist-spinner failed to make the cut for the marquee tournament as the Indian team management gave preference to Kuldeep Yadav and two spinning all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel.

Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed his concerns about Chahal's place in the Indian team going forward.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said Chahal might be left out of the ODI World Cup squad as well, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.  

"You are going with just one wrist-spinner in this tournament. I feel you won't be able to create a place for Yuzi Chahal for the World Cup as well because if it wasn't created here, it won't be created there as well unless there is an injury," Aakash Chopra stated.

Addressing the media on the day of India’s Asia Cup squad announcement, skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that it was not the end of the road for Chahal and he would be in the race for the World Cup spots.

According to Chopra, the Men in Blue put too much focus on the batting spot and that was creating misery for Chahal, who was not considered for the T20 World Cup 2021 as well.

"I feel we have a slight obsession that we need a batter at No. 8. We have Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), Akshar (Patel) and Shardul Thakur, who can both bat and bowl. So you want all-rounders at No. 7 and No. 8 and because of that, you are unable to create a place for Yuzi Chahal," he remarked.

India will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2.

By Salman Anjum - 27 Aug, 2023

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