After India’s early exit from the 2022 Asia Cup, the selectors are under pressure to pick the right squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia later this year. While there is no confirmation n the announcement of the squad, it is expected to happen in the next week.
Ex-Indian opener Virender Sehwag has hit out at the selectors and team management for ignoring senior pacer Mohammed Shami from the shortest format. He said that India would need his experience in Australia. Shami hasn’t played a T20I since Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma took over from Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli.
“It’s a wrong thought process that Shami is not good for T20Is. R Ashwin wasn’t in the plans but has been included in the side. When two bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, were injured, Shami should have played in the Asia Cup 2022,” said Sehwag on Cricbuzz.
“When Avesh was unavailable, Shami would have played. I understand you want to try young bowlers, but that will not work in Australia as a pacer of Shami’s skills is a must on those wickets,” he added.
Shami took 20 wickets in 16 matches for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2022.