World Cup 2023: Following an extensive selection meeting, India officially announced their squad for the approaching home World Cup earlier today (Tuesday). BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar disclosed the 15-member Team India Squad for the mega event during a presser in Sri Lanka’s Kandy city. India captain Rohit Sharma, too, attended the packed press conference amid the team’s Asia Cup 2023 campaign.

Barring the exclusion of Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna, India’s World Cup 2023 squad remained exactly identical to their Asia Cup squad. The inclusion of KL Rahul headlined India’s squad selection as the wicketkeeper has yet to play a match since his injury layoff. Moreover, the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Ashwin continue to remain on the sidelines in the marquee 50-over competition.

Team India’s 15-member squad for the World Cup 2023: Tom Moody Questions Suryakumar Yadav’s Selection

Meanwhile, former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody went on to react to team India’s 15-member squad for the World Cup 2023 during a chat with ESPNcricinfo. Moody appeared notably in agreement with India’s choice of players, however, was astounded by Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion. Considering the fierce competition in the Indian contingent for middle-order spots, the 57-year-old called Yadav lucky.

 “He is lucky to be in that squad purely because of the case that mounts against him for someone like Tilak Varma, who gives you that left-hand batting specialist in the middle order and who can bowl part-time spin,” Tom Moody told ESPNCricinfo

 “It gives them flexibility around the Ishan Kishan discussion. Does not mean both of them cannot play on the same side, but it gives the flexibility that Rohit Sharma talked about quite regularly in the press conference,” Moody further added

Suryakumar Yadav currently ranks at the top of the ICC T20I Batters Rankings. The Mumbai batsman has been India’s batting spearhead in recent times in 20-over Cricket. Yadav, however, has struggled big time in one-day Internationals. In his 26 India appearances in ODIs, the 32-year-old has scored a mere 511 runs so far, with a substandard average of 24.3.