Asia Cup 2022: Dilip Vengsarkar slams management for India's dismal showing

Rohit Sharma disappointed after SL loss [PC: Twitter]

Pre-tournament favourites and defending Asia Cup champions India found themselves knocked out of the ongoing six-nation event after suffering losses against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super 4 stage.

Coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma are facing heavy criticism for their selection and strategies, which has left several former cricketers bemused. 

Injury to key players prior to marquee event, and Ravindra Jadeja and Avesh Khan's mid-tournament illness added to the side's problems.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, legendary Indian player and former national chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar lashed out at the Indian management for not taking the Asia Cup seriously and treating it as another tournament heading into the T20 World Cup.

“Obviously, the team management wants to give all the players a chance as they are trying to find their best XI for next month’s World Cup. But then this event is also very important. The Asia Cup is a very big tournament. Winning matches in a tournament like this is very important for the morale of the team. Also, I think it’s important to have the winning combination.”

Vengsarkar further stressed that India should have aimed at winning the Asia Cup and kept the bilateral events reserved for experimentation. 

The Men in Blue will lock horns with Afghanistan in their last match of the showpiece event tonight in Dubai. 

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022, PAK vs AFG: Pakistan, champions in the making?