India picked Axar Patel ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal because of his batting: Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly & Chahal. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)

India named a 17-man squad for the forthcoming edition of the Asia Cup on August 21, with Yuzvendra Chahal’s omission catching many off-guard. The leg-spinner was part of the side that faced the West Indies in the three-match ODI series in July-August. However, he was not picked in the XI for any of the three matches as India opted to play Kuldeep Yadav as the only frontline spinner while Ravindra Jadeja supported him with his left-arm orthodox bowling.

Chahal was subsequently dropped from the Asia Cup squad as Kuldeep, Jadeja, and Axar Patel were picked as the spin-bowling options for the ‘Men in Blue’. Chahal’s snub has been met with criticism from a section of cricket enthusiasts. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, however, backed the selectors’ decision, stating that Axar got the nod ahead of Chahal because of his batting ability. Ganguly noted that the 33-year-old may come back if someone suffers an injury.

“They have picked Axar Patel ahead of (Yuzvendra) 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,” Sourav said in an event conducted by Cycle Pure Agarbathi.

Rankings don’t matter, who plays well on that day matters: Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly said that rankings would not matter when India and Pakistan face each other in the upcoming Asia Cup on September 2 in Pallekele. Pakistan are placed at No. 2 while India are positioned at No. 3 in the ICC ODI rankings. Ganguly praised the pace attack of Pakistan but opined that the team that plays well on the day will emerge victorious.

“Rankings don’t matter, who plays well on that day matters. They are a very good side. They have a very good bowling attack — Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf. They are a very balanced team. India is a strong side. It’s how you play on that particular day; there is no rocket science to it,” the 51-year-old concluded.