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Harbhajan, Shoaib Akhtar Slam Indian Selectors For Yuzvendra Chahal's World Cup Omission

image-lm9ggpj9Yuzvendra Chahal in action for India (AP)

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar recently unveiled team’s 15-player squad for the upcoming World Cup 2023. In a surprise move, ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was axed from the line-up, as the selection committee decided to back Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel for the tournament instead.

Chahal’s exclusion came as a shock to many, fans and cricket experts alike. Former players Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar have now become the latest to join the bandwagon, as the two expressed their views on spinner’s omission from the multi-team event.

Harbhajan slams BCCI for excluding Chahal

Cricketer-turned-commentator Harbhajan Singh recently expressed his shock at Yuzvendra Chahal’s exclusion from India’s World Cup 2023 squad. The legendary spinner praised Chahal and described him as a proven match-winner. While commentating on Star Sports for the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, Singh said:

“Yuzvendra Chahal is a proven match-winner. If he were playing for any other team in the world, he would have been in the first XI. He has proved himself time and time again, and it is unfortunate that he missed out from the Indian side.”

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar also stated his disbelief at the spinner’s omission. It is to be noted that the Indian team has selected an additional middle-order batter in the form of Suryakumar Yadav. Akhtar highlighted India’s tendency of enhancing their batting line-up at every turn instead of balancing an all-round squad for themselves. The legendary paceman stated:

“Not picking Yuzvendra Chahal is beyond me. The odd thing for India is that when they score 220-230, they increase one batter. If the top 5 do not bat well, how will the no. 8 bat?”

Yuzvendra Chahal has not been considered in ODIs by the selection committee since January earlier this year. The cricketer impressed one-and-all with his 21-wicket haul at the IPL 2023 season for Rajasthan Royals.

Despite holding impressive white-ball numbers for Team India, Chahal continues to get sidelined from major ICC events.