India went into the competition as the defending champions and clear favorites, making their unexpected departure in the Super 4 stage a massive shock. The team had spent ten months tinkering with their batting and bowling lineups in anticipation of the T20 World Cup, and the Asia Cup 2022 was meant to serve as the blueprint for the final squad heading to Australia. This failure prompted former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar to heavily criticize the leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.
The decision to keep experimenting with the roster during a prestigious multi-nation event left many observers confused. Vengsarkar, now 66, pointed out that trial-and-error tactics belong in smaller bilateral series, whereas major tournaments demand a settled, optimal combination focused purely on winning.
The cricket legend highlighted the erratic nature of the team's selections, mentioning how Dinesh Karthik was brought into the squad but didn't get to play, while Ravichandran Ashwin was suddenly introduced in the match against Sri Lanka. Vengsarkar believes the coaching staff is simply trying to give as many players as possible a chance in their search for the ideal XI before next month's major tournament.
Vengsarkar wrapped up by emphasizing the difference between friendly series and major championships. While bilateral matches are fine for testing, the Asia Cup and World Cup are high-priority events where playing your absolute best lineup is non-negotiable for success.