Samson in, Kuldeep Out! Matthew Hayden Picks India's 2023 World Cup Squad
Hayden excluded the KulCha duo from his WC squad [X.com]
The BCCI selection committee, chaired by former pacer Ajit Agarkar, recently named a solid 17-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023 starting this Wednesday. As the tournament marks India's dress rehearsal for the ICC World Cup, it's believed that the Men in Blue will pick an almost identical squad for the marquee event scheduled in October-November on home soil.
Meanwhile, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has picked a fifteen-member Indian squad for the 2023 World Cup.
As reported by News18, Hayden selected Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav as the specialist batters while naming Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj as his fast bowling options.
The swashbuckling southpaw picked three players- Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya- as his all-rounders. However, in a shocking move, Hayden excluded Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal from his squad, preferring keeper-batter Sanju Samson for the final fifteen.
Matthew Hayden's 15-man India squad for 2023 World Cup
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel
Although Hayden omitted Kuldeep from his squad, it's unlikely to happen practically, considering the wily tweaker's exceptional performance in ODI cricket since 2022. The left-arm wrist spinner, who was outstanding in India's recently concluded Caribbean tour, could emerge as India's MVP with the ball in the Asia Cup, starting on August 30.
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