Asia Cup is going to begin on August 30, 2023 and the chairman of team India’s selectors Ajit Agarkar unveiled a 17-member Asia Cup squad. Here check the India’s power-packed squad.
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have made it to India’s ODI squad for the Asia Cup, having successfully recuperated from a thigh and a back injury, respectively.
Tilak Varma in India’s squad for Asia Cup
On Monday in Delhi, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar unveiled a 17-member Asia Cup squad. Among them is newcomer left-handed batsman Tilak Varma, who is yet to debut in ODI cricket.
Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna back in the squad
Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, both of whom recently returned to international cricket after recovering from back surgeries, have also been included. Mohammed Shami, who was rested for the West Indies tour, makes his return, and the pace attack is rounded out by Mohammed Siraj, along with allrounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur.
Yuzvendra Chahal excluded from the squad
The squad excluded seasoned legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal, opting instead for Kuldeep Yadav as the sole wristspinner, accompanied by two fingerspinning allrounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Notably, there was no offspinner included in the lineup.
Ishan Kishan preferred over Sanju Samson
Ishan Kishan was preferred over Sanju Samson as the secondary wicketkeeper in the team, supporting Rahul, and also serving as an alternate opening batsman. Meanwhile, Samson will join the Sri Lanka tour as a contingency player.
Rahul and Shreyas dedicated numerous weeks to rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. They engaged in match-simulation drills in the days prior to their inclusion.
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Rahul’s last competitive game was in IPL 2023 before his injury, while Shreyas had been sidelined since Australia’s tour of India in March. According to Agarkar, Shreyas received a full fitness clearance, yet there remained uncertainty about Rahul’s readiness.
Except for Tilak’s addition, the batting lineup held no unexpected choices. Rohit mentioned that the team management aimed to maintain flexibility in the batting order.
Asia Cup 2023 begins on August 30
Commencing on August 30, the Asia Cup kicks off with Pakistan hosting Nepal in Multan. India’s initial Group A encounter is set against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2, followed by a match against Nepal in Pallekele on September 4.
Group B encompasses Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. The top two squads from each group will advance to the Super Four stage. The teams that secure the first and second positions in the Super Fours will compete in the final scheduled for September 17 in Colombo.
Team India Full Squad for Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Prasidh Krishna.
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