Harbhajan Singh has named his Indian team squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 tournament and made some surprise picks and omissions for the continental event which begins on August 30 and will be played in a hybrid model in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Ahead of the big announcements, experts have already dropped in their views on what the squad could look like. The likes of Ravi Shastri, Sandeep Patil, and MSK Prasad had picked their 15 Indian team.
And now Harbhajan Singh has named his India squad for the tournament but also showed a hard-hitting reality about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the wake of the West Indies series loss.
The former India spinner acknowledged that he was surprised by the outcomes of the tour, about which he had the least concern.
He continued by reminding the Indian team that although many would claim that Rohit and Kohli's absence made the team weaker, the two veterans wouldn't remain in the lineup indefinitely.
“I thought India would win that series easily. But the result has left many shocked and concerned. I was taken aback as well because West Indies, a team that did not make the World Cup, beat us. This indeed is a big achievement for West Indies, but a major concern for India.
Yes, Kohli and Rohit weren't there, they won't stay for long, but this young brigade that had toured West Indies has learn a lot from this. I previously said that India can make 2-3 teams, and they still can, but the results are yet to reflect,” he said on his YouTube channel.
No KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer as experts pick their India squad for Asia Cup 2023
Harbhajan Singh backed Suryakumar Yadav in the middle order and also picked Tilak Varma after his brilliant outing in T20Is on his maiden India call-up. However, he left out Shreyas Iyer from his squad along with Sanju Samson.
But he has named KL Rahul in his squad as reportedly the keeper-batter has attained match fitness as well.
Harbhajan's team comprises of three-spin bowling options in Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, a fast-bowling all-rounder in Hardik Pandya and four primary pacers.
Harbhajan Singh's 15-man India squad for Asia Cup:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, Akshar Patel (16th man)
