'It is just a psychological thing, here's a man...' - Sunil Gavaskar expresses his anger over omission of star player from playing XI against Afghanistan

In their second ODI World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan, India came up with one change in the playing XI as they brought in Shardul Thakur to replace veteran off-spin allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin. Meanwhile, the fans and experts were also expecting the inclusion of veteran pacer Mohammad Shami in the clash against Afghanistan. But India decided to go with the same attack except for the addition of Shardul Thakur.

Meanwhile, the former legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has come up with harsh words for Indian team management on their selections in the playing XI. Gavaskar also expressed his disappointment and anger over the exclusion of veteran off-spin allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI.

"I don't know what he's done wrong." - Sunil Gavaskar on Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion

Apart from that, Gavaskar didn’t seem happy as the management also overlooked the veteran pacer Mohammed Shami while picking the playing XI for the clash against Afghanistan.

“I don't know what he's (Ashwin) done wrong, but there you are,” said Gavaskar while speaking out his thoughts about India’s playing XI against Afghanistan.

“It is a difficult call; as a group, you look to try and give as many players an outing. I would have thought, what Shami did against Afghanistan in 2019, turning the match in India's way, he would get a go. It is just a psychological thing, here's a man who took a hat trick… I know, there will be a few changes in the Afghanistan XI from 2019, but well. It's a call that has been made. Ashwin is used to being left out of the team, it is only going to make him more determined,” he added later.

Speaking of the ongoing action of the match between India and Afghanistan, the latter have scored 235 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 44.5 overs so far, having former skipper Mohammad Nabi and star all-rounder Rashid Khan there in the middle.

Star pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has scalped three wickets so far for India, alongside two wickets picked by all-rounder Hardik Pandya. apart from these two, Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav have also claimed one wicket each.