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According to a new report by Times of India, the Indian government may interfere in BCCI’s team selection for the Asian Games T20 cricket competition to be held in September this year.
On Saturday, the BCCI revealed a long list of 30 players who will be eligible to be selected for the Asian Games. Most notably, current ODI captain Shubman Gill and current T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav were both absent from the list.
The games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The cricket competition will start from 23rd September.
“It was already decided not to include Suryakumar Yadav in the long list” – BCCI source
A senior BCCI source told TOI that the selectors had decided in January itself that Suryakumar Yadav would not be included in the Asian Games squad.
The decision was apparently taken keeping in mind the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, so that the selectors can identify Suryakumar’s successor.
The final 15 from the long list of 30 will be selected in the second week of June. The last date for making changes in the long list was May 14.
“It was decided in January that Suryakumar Yadav will not be a part of the Asian Games. The focus is on ODI World Cup preparations. There are some players in the long list who also play the ODI format. The government would prefer if the BCCI sends a full-strength team to the Asian Games. The decision on the Asian Games teams will be taken after consultation with the government,” the source said.
“Suryakumar Yadav’s future as captain at stake” – BCCI sources
The same source further said that a decision on whether Suryakumar should continue as T20I captain or not will also be taken at the selection meeting to finalize the Asian Games squad.
When the Indian national selectors next meet, they are expected to select teams for India’s limited-overs tours of Ireland (2 T20Is) and England (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is). The squad for India A’s two unofficial Test matches against Sri Lanka A is also expected to be announced. The meeting is likely to take place ahead of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan starting on June 6 in New Chandigarh.
Suryakumar Yadav has been in very poor form in both international cricket and IPL for the last two years. This certainly means that the focus of these selection meetings is likely to be on him.
A BCCI source told TOI, “The selectors are considering possible captaincy options before deciding on Suryakumar Yadav. While Shreyas Lair and Sanju Samson look like contenders, vice-captain Axar Patel’s name has also been put forward for the job before the selectors decide on a clear successor. It also remains to be seen whether Surya will be given another tour to rediscover his touch as a player. Things will be clearer from the next selection meeting. Will be done.”
Shubman Gill is missing due to the match against West Indies ODI series.
Although the reason has not been officially stated, it is widely believed that the main reason for Shubman Gill not being selected for the Asian Games was the clash of the games with India’s home series against the West Indies.
India will play a series of three ODIs and five T20 matches between September 27 and October 17. The selectors have reportedly prioritized ODIs over the Asian Games with an eye on the ODI World Cup in South Africa next year.
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