'Kuldeep, Chahal offer nothing with bat' - Tom Moody on Yuzvendra Chahal's Asia Cup snub

Tom Moody has given his take on India not picking an off-spinner in their 17-member squad for the impending edition of the Asia Cup. India opted to go in with Kuldeep Yadav as the only frontline spinner while all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel being the spin all-rounders.

Moody explained that Kuldeep nd Yuzvendra Chahal do not offer anything with the bat and that is why the selectors could not find a place for both of them in the Asia Cup squad. When asked about the absence of an off-spinner in the side, the 57-year-old stated that it would not be a concern as Kuldeep would be there to take the ball away from left-handers.

“Both Kuldeep and Chahal are specialist bowlers. Full stop. They don’t offer anything else. They can’t bat at No. 8 and have an impact in that batting line-up to give them depth. I think that’s one of the things that has gone against Chahal," Moody said on the Star Sports/ESPN Cricinfo’s ‘Selection Day Live’ programme.

At the end of the day, when you are talking about no off-spinner, you’ve got Kuldeep turning the ball away from the left-handers. So, you’ve got that base covered. I don’t see a massive issue. If you had an extra spot, you may consider an off-spinner, but I just don’t think that squad needs it," he added.

Tilak Varma could be an option if India want to have an off-spinner 

Young Tilak Varma impressed in his debut series in the Caribbean as he finished as the highest run-getter for India in the five-match T20I series and was rewarded with a spot in the Asia Cup squad. The 20-year-old is a decent off-spinner and he bowled a couple of overs in the fifth T20I, picking up the wicket of the in-form Nicholas Pooran. If India can fit Tilak in the playing XI, he could be useful with his part-time bowling. However, it is going to be difficult for him to get his ODI cap in the Asia Cup with the experienced players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul returning to the side.