‘He is lucky to be in India’s Squad’ – Tom Moody calls out undeserving player

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the 17-member Indian squad for Asia Cup 2023 on August 21 which had a couple of surprise picks. Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody shared his views on the selected squad and stated that there’s one player who’s lucky to be in the Indian side.

The player that I think is lucky to be in that side is Suryakumar Yadav: Tom Moody

“The player that I think is lucky to be in that side is Suryakumar Yadav. I know that he’s a player that we all love to watch, but he is yet to really master the 50-over game. I think he’s played over 20 matches now and at a very modest return,” Tom Moody said on Star Sports.

“He’s a genius in T20 cricket. But the 50-over cricket is a completely different format, and he’s yet to really crack the code for that. You know, I just don’t think he’s gonna do it at the last minute,” the former Australian all-rounder further added.

There are better options available than Suryakumar Yadav: Tom Moody

Moody felt that the Indian team management had better options to include in the Indian squad for Asia Cup 2023. He opined that young Yashasvi Jaiswal or another leg spinner could have been added to the Indian team for the upcoming continental tournament.

“And to me, there are better options available. I would have much rather seen a younger player like a Jaiswal in that side. Or take that position, and play a wrist spinner. Um, you know another wrist spinner,” Moody stated.

It’s worth noting that while Suryakumar Yadav has been exceptional in the T20Is, his record has been pretty ordinary in the ODI format. He has scored just 511 runs at a mediocre average of 24.33 in 26 games and has only 2 fifties against his name.

Yadav failed to perform in the recently concluded 3-match ODI series against West Indies and still got a spot in the Indian squad for Asia Cup 2023. On the other hand, keeper-batter Sanju Samson, who has got better numbers than him in the ODI format was named as the reserve player.

Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of the selection committee, stated that they could only pick one wrist spinner and hence Yuzvendra Chahal missed out and Kuldeep Yadav was picked. Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal too wasn’t picked despite a brilliant outing in Tests and T20Is against West Indies.

ALSO READ – 2023 Asia Cup snub: Yuzvendra Chahal targets Rohit Sharma in his tweet

The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played from August 30 to September 17. Team India will begin their campaign against their arch-rival Pakistan on September 2.