Asian Games 2023: 5 Players who deserved a spot in India's squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member men's squad and five standby players who will be participating in the upcoming Asian Games 2022 scheduled in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. The cricket event will be played in the T20I format with all the matches taking place at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field. With the tournament set to clash with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the BCCI named a second-string squad led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Several young players have been added into the team, however, a few have also missed out on the golden opportunity to leave a mark in international cricket. As the young Indian team prepare themselves to represent the country in the mega event, let’s take a look at five players who deserved to be a part of the squad but failed to find a spot: 5 Players who deserved a spot in India's squad: 5. Vijay Shankar Vijay Shankar. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images) The 32-year-old had a remarkable season in the recent IPL 2023 where he scored 301 runs in ten innings at an average of 37.62 and a strike rate of 160.10. The 32-year-old played a match-winning knock of 51* off 24 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders smashing two fours and five sixes. Shankar played the role of the finisher for GT throughout the season and scored three half-centuries along with some handy cameos. After failing to find a place in the T20I squad for the West Indies tour, Shankar made a strong case for his selection in the Asian Games squad. However, he failed to impress the selectors and hence wasn’t picked. The exclusion could prove to be a big dent in Shankar’s confidence who has been eyeing a return to the Indian team since the 2019 ODI World Cup. With the T20 World Cup scheduled next year, the 32-year-old will be eager to up his game as he will face stiff competition from Shardul Thakur for a place in the side. 4. Rahul Tewatia Rahul Tewatia. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) Rahul Tewatia became a household name ever since his blitzkrieg in the IPL 2020 against Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) helped Rajasthan Royals register an improbable win. The 30-year-old once again did a fantastic job as a finisher for Gujarat Titans in 2023 scoring 87 runs at a strike rate of 152.63 clobbering three fours and seven sixes. However, he was overshadowed by another finisher Rinku Singh from Kolkata Knight Riders who took the tournament by storm with his stupendous form. Despite that, Tewatia had proven his finishing prowess time and again and deserved to don the blue jersey. Unfortunately, the selectors didn’t find him worthy enough for the team yet. Team India have been looking for good finishers for a long time as BCCI is determined to revamp the T20I side after the debacle of the T20 World Cup 2021 and 2022. In such a case, the door for Tewatia’s selection isn’t permanently closed and he could break into the team anytime soon. 3. Shikhar Dhawan Shikhar Dhawan.(Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images) The veteran opener has been dropped from all formats, however, he continues to prove his mettle in the IPL. In the recent season, he finished as the highest run scorer for Punjab Kings with 373 runs to his name in 11 innings at an average of 41.44 with three fifties to his name. Furthermore, Dhawan has 1759 runs in T20Is at an average of 27.92 with 11 fifties to his name. The southpaw would’ve been a great pick in the side to lead the team given his vast experience in international cricket and captaincy. However, the selectors didn’t want to recall the veteran back into the squad and instead gave the youngsters a go with the T20 World Cup 2024 just one year away. Despite that, Dhawan’s leadership was much needed in a team full of youngsters to guide them through precarious situations in the game. And his numbers in the IPL speak volumes of his batting prowess in the shortest format of the game. Dhawan's experience would’ve worked wonders for the team, however, his future to make a return to the Indian team is in absolute obscurity. 2. Varun Chakravarthy Varun Chakravarthy. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) After having a forgettable season in 2021, Chakravarthy once again managed to bamboozle the batters with his variations in the 2023 season. The 31-year-old finished as the highest wicket-taker for KKR with 20 scalps to his name at an average of 21.45 and an economy of 8.14. The leg-break bowler was also awarded Player of the Match twice against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. However, his performances couldn’t serve as a pathway to his comeback in the Indian team. The Karnataka-born cricketer is one of the rare talents in the country who has enough tricks up his sleeve to leave several great batters of the game dumbfounded. However, with the likes of Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Ahmed as spin options in the team, Chakravarthy failed to break in. 1. Ayush Badoni Ayush Badoni. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL) The 23-year-old played good cameos for Lucknow Super Giants in the recent season as he amassed 238 runs in 12 innings at an average of 23.80 and a strike rate of 138.37 with one half-century to his name. Badoni rose to the limelight in the 2022 season where he also scored a half century for Lucknow. He has 532 runs in T20 cricket at an average of 23.13 with two fifties. The Delhi-born is a bright prospect for the future, however, his exploits in the IPL were deemed worthy enough for a team India selection by the selectors. Badoni has shown enough promise to be a future star and will have to wait a bit more to seal a spot in the Indian side. The 23-year-old will have to once again prove his mettle in the IPL and get in the eyes of the selectors. It’s a long road ahead for the youngster where his perseverance will be tested but he has shown enough mental fortitude to come this far and will continue to grind.

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Asian Games 2023: 5 Players who deserved a spot in India's squad

The BCCI announced the 15-member squad for Asian Games and five standby players.

2. Varun Chakravarthy

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