As India announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, many impressive performers in the last few months were excluded from the team. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Sikhar Dhawan and Sanju Samson could not make it to the squad. However, it was Axar Patel whose omission made Parthiv Patel question the selections.

The Indian squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup 2022 saw an underperforming Virat Kohli return to the fold, while KL Rahul was also handed the vice-captaincy. However, these decisions were majorly expected by many.

Also Read: Key takeaways from India’s Asia Cup 2022 squad selection

Parthiv called the omission of Axar Patel a ‘surprise’, as the all-rounder was a part of the Indian squad in the T20I series against West Indies and England and performed well. However, Patel is one of the three stand-by members of the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2022.

In a video on his official YouTube channel, Parthiv Patel questioned the decision to drop Axar, pointing out that the all-rounder has always delivered whenever the team needed him. He also added that Axar Patel should have been included in the squad as an understudy for Ravindra Jadeja, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin.

“Another surprising exclusion for me was that of Axar Patel. He has delivered for the team whenever they wanted and did whatever was asked out of him,” Parthiv quipped.

“I think they tried Ashwin at the last World Cup and if they need off-spin in Australia then they have the option of Hooda. So, as a backup for Jadeja, Axar should have been picked,” he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin was part of the Indian team that participated in the T20 World Cup in 2021. However, he has since then played in the format only against West Indies in August 2022.

Also Read: Mohammed Shami to Ishan Kishan: Biggest snubs in India’s Asia Cup squad

The 37-year-old former Indian keeper also revealed his surprise to see India picking four spinners, considering the Asia Cup 2022 is slated to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where conditions are more friendly to fast bowlers.

“India has gone in with four spinners, which is a bit surprising given the conditions in the UAE. They have chosen just three seamers, which I feel is one short,” he said. 

“They should have gone with three spinners and four seamers as we saw when IPL was played here that the pacers got a bit of help,” Parthiv concluded.