Stephen Fleming Justifies India’s ‘Hard Call’ on Jaiswal, Credits Dravid for Picking ‘T20 World Cup Final’ Side

Chennai, India: India’s head coach Stephen Fleming has defended the team’s decision to leave out young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for the upcoming Asia Cup, citing the need for a “balanced squad.” He also lauded captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid for picking a team that mirrors the final T20 World Cup side.

“It was a hard call, there’s no doubt about that,” Fleming admitted during a press conference, acknowledging Jaiswal’s impressive form in the recent domestic season. However, he emphasized the importance of having a team that can adapt to different situations and match conditions. “We’ve been looking at the whole tournament, not just one game,” he added, indicating a focus on building a squad capable of handling the pressures of a multi-nation tournament.

Fleming also highlighted the strength of the squad selected, praising the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the coaching acumen of Rahul Dravid. “Rohit and Rahul have done an excellent job of picking a team that reflects our strengths and weaknesses,” he said. He further credited Dravid for creating a team that is “already looking at the T20 World Cup,” suggesting a long-term vision.

While Jaiswal’s exclusion has sparked debate, Fleming emphasized that the team management is confident in the selected players. “We believe this is the best team to give us the best chance of success,” he stated, hinting at a strong belief in the chosen squad’s potential.

The selection of India’s Asia Cup squad has undoubtedly created a buzz, with Jaiswal’s absence generating significant discussion. However, Fleming’s justification and praise for the team’s composition, particularly crediting Dravid’s long-term vision, provides a perspective on the strategic thinking behind the selection.

Keywords: Stephen Fleming, India, Asia Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, T20 World Cup, Squad Selection, Cricket News, Indian Cricket Team