India’s Asia Cup 2023 Team includes Rahul, Shreyas, and Tilak

India Asia Cup 2023 Team

Yuzvendra Chahal was left off the 17-man squad as Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna make their ODI comebacks.

After overcoming thigh and back injuries, respectively, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been chosen for India’s ODI squad for the Asia Cup.

Tilak Varma, a rookie left-hander who hasn’t played in an ODI yet, was included to the 17-man Asia Cup squad by India’s chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar on Monday in Delhi. Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, two fast bowlers who are currently making their international comebacks in Ireland following back operations, were also chosen. Mohammed Shami returned after being sidelined for the entirety of the West Indies trip, and the pace attack is completed by Mohammed Siraj, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur, as well as Mohammed Shami.

Agarkar praised Tilak’s choice, saying, “In West Indies we saw some real promise in terms of not just performances but the temperament.” “And it offers us the chance to bring him onto the club and give him more exposure; he’s a left-hander once more, and he looks very potential. So, fortunately, we can bring 17; at the World Cup, it will only be 15. We’ll make that decision when the time is right, but for the time being, it at least provides the captain and coach the chance to have him on the team.

Veteran wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, along with two finger-spinner all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, were picked over veteran legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the team. The squad lacked an offspinner.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, said at a press conference in Delhi, “We thought about an offspinner as well, Ashwin and Washy [Washington Sundar], but right now you see Chahal had to miss out because we could only pick 17 players.” “If one of the seamers had gone missing, then and only then could we have chosen him.

We are unable to accomplish that because seamers will be crucial during the following two months. We wanted to get a good look at them, let them in, and see what they had to offer because only a few of them were returning after a long absence. But even with that, nobody is shut out. Everyone is welcome at any time. As with Washy or Ashwin, we’ll see if we can squeak them in if we feel like Chahal is necessary for the World Cup.

Ishan Kishan, a left-hander who also serves as a backup opener, was selected over Sanju Samson to be the team’s second wicketkeeper following Rahul. Samson, on the other hand, will go to Sri Lanka as a backup.

The World Cup squad will be made up of the 18 players we chose, according to Agarkar. “A few key players are recovering from injuries; let’s hope everything goes smoothly for them. At the Asia Cup, they still have a few games left. Before we reveal the World Cup roster, there will be a quick camp and a few games, but it is very clear that this group will be in it.

Rahul and Shreyas participated in match-simulation drills in the days preceding their selection. They had previously spent several weeks receiving rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Shreyas has been sidelined since Australia’s tour of India in March, while Rahul has not participated in any competitive cricket since suffering an injury during IPL 2023. While Shreyas had been certified as perfectly fit, Rahul remained a concern, according to Agarkar.

“Both have recovered from major, long-lasting injuries. Shreyas has been given the all-clear. Sanju is traveling [as a backup player] for Rahul because of a niggle, not his original injury, Agarkar stated. “We’ll receive a report from the physio at some point, but we all anticipate that he will be in shape. Even if not right away, by the second or third game, he’s on the right track. The news that Shreyas has been deemed fit is wonderful for us.

There were no shocks in the batting order other than Tilak’s participation, according to Rohit, who also stated that the team management wanted to be flexible with the batting order.

The ability to bat wherever is what Rohit said he wanted in this team. “You need adaptable men who can fill any position. Nobody should ever claim to be good in a particular position. The message is sent to everyone that you want guys to be able to bat everywhere. not lately, but in the past three to four years. Although the word has been delivered, I am aware that it may be difficult for individuals on the outside to comprehend why a guy who bats at six is batting at four.

You don’t want to be restricted to one person batting in one position or have a handicap. Having said that, you want players in particular positions to perform at their peak. We have been saying for years that anyone is welcome to apply for any of the seven-eight slots.

On August 30, Pakistan and Nepal will face off in Multan to kick off the Asia Cup. On September 2, Pakistan will be India’s opponent at Pallekele for their opening Group A match. On September 4, Nepal will be the opponent for India in Pallekele. The top two teams from each group, which consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, advance to the Super Four stage. The Super Fours final will be played on September 17 in Colombo between the teams that placed first and second.

The following players will represent India at the Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav

Player on the bench: Sanju Samson