'Surprise not to see...': Harbhajan Singh annoyed as India axe 'pure match-winner' for WC

The BCCI on Tuesday revealed a preliminary squad comprising 15 members for the forthcoming ODI World Cup, slated to take place in India from October 5 to November 19. Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian men's cricket team, alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, addressed the media in Sri Lanka to officially announce the selected players for the World Cup roster. Agarkar emphasized that the provisional squad will remain unchanged for the World Cup unless there is an injury within the team.

Also Read: Team India Squad Announcement Live Updates

Harbhajan Singh reacts to Chahal's exclusion

Several veteran players such as Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar find themselves absent from the Indian squad for the prestigious ICC event. Sanju Samson was also unable to secure a place in the World Cup squad despite serving as a traveling reserve for India's Asia Cup 2023 team. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh took to his social media handle to express shock at the exclusion of Chahal from the squad. 

Surprise not to see @yuzi_chahal in the World Cup squad for Team India. pure Match winner

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 5, 2023

Also Read: 'Rahul Without Playing Any Matches Directly Selected': Reactions On India World Cup Squad

India's provisional World Cup squad

Rohit Sharma has been named the captain of the Indian squad, while Hardik Pandya will play as his deputy. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav have been included as batters. Pandya along with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur have been added as al-rounders. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul will be the two wicket-keepers in the team. India's four primary bowlers for the competition will be Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.  

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vc), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav 

Image: PTI/AP