India failed to defend respectable totals in two successive games at the Asia Cup 2022. Men in blue are on the brink of exit from the Super 4 Stage of the continental event. Defending champions India crashed out of the Asia Cup after Pakistan defeated Afghanistan in a super 4 encounter. India had only two specialist fast bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh as Avesh Khan was unfit due to health issues.

In the game against Pakistan, the most experienced Bhuvneshwar conceded 19 runs in the 19th over. He conceded 14 runs in the penultimate over against Sri Lanka. Both performances dealt a major blow to India’s winning chances in the respective games.

Analyzing the loss, former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri said there was a lack of options for quality seamers in the Indian squad. Shastri said that he was ‘baffled’ not to see Mohammed Shami in the squad, who could have provided that extra fast bowling option that India missed in a must-win game.

Shastri admitted that teams have to prepare better to secure wins. Former all-rounder expressed that the team selection could have been better, especially for the fast bowlers. Shastri added that he was surprised that India came with just three fast bowlers to UAE, where the pitch does not offer much for the spinners.

Shami sitting at home and cooling his heels baffles many. Shastri concluded that after having a terrific IPL season, Shami not able to make the cut is something different.