Sourav Ganguly Backs Axar Patel’s Selection Over Chahal – Know Why

Ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has backed the selection of all-rounder Axar Patel over full-time spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for Asia Cup 2023.

The BCCI has named 17-member squad for the continental tournament and made some surprising omission from the squad, Chahal and Ashwin being the most notable ones. While speaking to the reporters, Ganguly said that Axar Patel has been selected because of his batting abilities.

“They will have to bat very well, if they bat well they will win. They have selected Axar Patel ahead of Chahal because of his batting. So, I think it’s a good selection. Chahal can still come back if someone gets injured. This is a 17-member squad, two, in any case, will have to move out,” Ganguly said.

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Former BCCI president also said that the selectors have picked a good and balanced side for the tournament.

“I think it’s a very fair side, the right side they have picked. It’s just that they to have play well now,” he added.

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While announcing the squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained why Chahal was dropped from the squad despite being a top performer in the white-ball cricket.

Agarkar said that only one primary-spin bowling could fit into the squad after Jadeja and Axar, both of whom offer their batting abilities and Kuldeep stood ahead in the race.

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Team Inia will kick start their Asia Cup 2023 campaign from October 2 against arch-rival Pakistan in Sri Lanka.