The India squad for the Asia Cup 2023 has been announced. The selectors have surprised everyone by including Tilak Varma in the ODI team for the first time. He could be an option at number four for India, with Sanju Samson also in the team as a backup.
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| Photo : 'X' / BCCI |
The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar including Tilak Varma in the ODI team for asia cup. He recently made his T20 debut during the West Indies tour. The Asia Cup is set to begin on August 30th, and the selectors have named an 18-member squad, with 17 players and Sanju Samson as the backup wicketkeeper (18th player). Yuzvendra Chahal is not in the team.
India's Squad for the Asia Cup:
Rohit Sharma (Captain),
Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain),
Shubman Gill,
Virat Kohli,
Shreyas Iyer,
KL Rahul,
Suryakumar Yadav,
Tilak Varma,
Ishan Kishan,
Ravindra Jadeja,
Shardul Thakur,
Axar Patel,
Kuldeep Yadav,
Jasprit Bumrah,
Mohammed Shami,
Mohammed Siraj,
Prasidh Krishna.
Backup: Sanju Samson.
Return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer:
The Indian team for the Asia Cup has been announced. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are making a comeback to the team. Both were sidelined due to injuries for quite some time. Now they are back in action.
Shreyas played his last ODI on January 15, 2023, against Sri Lanka. Rahul's last ODI was on March 22, 2023, against Australia. Shreyas had a back injury, while Rahul had a thigh injury during IPL. Their return strengthens India's middle order.
Inclusion of Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna:
Jasprit Bumrah, who made a comeback to international cricket through the T20 series against Ireland after almost a year, played his last ODI on July 14, 2022, against England at Lord's. Meanwhile, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who also returned after a gap of almost a year in the T20 series against Ireland, played his last ODI on August 20, 2022, against Zimbabwe.
17-member Team Format:
Unlike the World Cup, the Asia Cup allows a 17-member squad. Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have chosen 17-player squads. This year, the Asia Cup will be played with Pakistan and Sri Lanka as joint hosts. The first match will take place on August 30th between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan.
Opening Pair and Number Three:
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open for India, while Virat Kohli's place at number three is confirmed. The dilemma in front of the selection panel is who to feed at number four.
Which Player to Bat at Number Four:
Many former cricketers like Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri believe that Tilak should be given a chance to play. Now that he has been selected, he might be considered for the number four batting position. India lacks a left-handed middle-order batsman, and Tilak fills that void.
The team management has not yet decided the number-four player. India will now have to choose between these four players - Suryakumar Yadav, Ishaan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Verma.
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| Photo : Tilik Varma |
Hybrid Model for the Tournament:
This time, the tournament will be organized using a hybrid model. The Asia Cup will feature nine matches, including four matches in Pakistan and five, including the final, in Sri Lanka. India will play its matches in Sri Lanka. India's first match will be against Pakistan on September 2nd, followed by a match against Nepal on September 3rd.
Schedule:
- August 30: Pakistan vs. Nepal in Multan
- August 31: Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka in Kandy
- Sep. 2: India vs. Pakistan in Kandy
- Sep. 3: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan in Lahore
- Sep. 4: India vs. Nepal in Kandy
- Sep. 5: Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka in Lahore
Super-4 Round:
- September 6 : A1 vs. B2 in Lahore
- September 9 : B1 vs. B2 in Colombo
- September 10 : A1 vs. A2 in Colombo
- September 12 : A2 vs. B1 in Colombo
- September 14 : A1 vs. B1 in Colombo
- September 15 : A2 vs. B2 in Colombo
Final:
- September 17: Super-4 1vs2 in Colombo
The tournament's hybrid model aims to provide teams with a final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations before the upcoming World Cup.
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