India have named their 'best' 15-member squad for the upcoming home ODI World Cup 2023, starting on October 5, on Tuesday. The biggest talking point of the squad was the exclusion of spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin from the marquee event.
During the Asia Cup 2023 announcement, both India skipper Rohit Sharma and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar admitted that Chahal was not out of the World Cup squad at that point and he was in consideration for the continental tournament as well.
Leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been picked over the experienced duo for the quadrennial event.
After announcing the squad, Rohit asserted that "it is the best we could do. We looked at getting the right players in. Some do Miss out but that is how it is. They will be disappointed, and I have gone through it. You need to keep your chin up and it is about creating all-round options."
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During the press conference, Rohit revealed that off-spinners Ashwin and Washington Sundar were discussed but the management went ahead with Kuldeep to give depth in the batting line-up.
"Ashwin and Washington were discussed but you got to pick the best squad.. Kuldeep is there to take the ball away from left-handers and we wanted depth. And we have full faith in the squad," he said.
Both Chahal and Ashwin were not picked in India's Asia Cup squad, being played in Sri Lanka, which was dubbed as the probable World Cup squad.
In 86 ODIs, Kuldeep has picked 141 wickets at an average of 26.79 including the best figures of 6/25. On the other hand, Chahal has bagged 96 dismissals in 80 ODIs at an average of 25.09.
Whereas, veteran spinner Ashwin has clinched 151 wickets in 113 ODIs at an average of 33.49. He played his last ODI against South Africa in January, 2022. Ashwin was part of India's T20 World Cup squad last year.
For Chahal, performing in the T20Is will be the way forward to make it into the ODI side while Ashwin will look to focus on his red-ball game at this juncture of his career.