- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 21 Aug 2023 01:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Chairman of Senior Selection Committee Ajit Agarkar, announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Indian team for the Asia Cup 2023. Hardik Pandya has been appointed Rohit's deputy for the tournament.
The squad also includes left-hander Tilak Varma, who hasn't made his ODI debut yet. Seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, who made their international comebacks during the ongoing T20I series in Ireland after recovering from back surgeries, have also been selected.
Mohammed Shami makes a comeback after being rested for the entire tour of West Indies, while Mohammed Siraj and allrounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur complete the pace attack.
Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been dropped from the squad, with Kuldeep Yadav preferred as the wrist-spinner along with allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Ishan Kishan was chosen over Sanju Samson as the second wicketkeeper in the squad, after Rahul. Samson, however, will travel to Sri Lanka as a reserve player.
Check out the full squad here:
Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (Back-up wicket-keeper).
Important points to note:
1. Ajit Agarkar on KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer - "Shreyas Iyer is completely fit. Rahul still has a different niggle and hence Sanju Samson has been named as backup. But KL Rahul is on track to be 100% fit for the first match."
2. Rohit Sharma on number four spot - "It's not about number 4. We have a good top 3. It's not about one position. Everyone in the batting unit will have to step up and deliver. We have tried many things."
3. Ajit Agarkar on Tilak Varma - "If Tilak Varma makes it for the World Cup, then he will not be in Asian Games. It gives us an opportunity to give some exposure to the left-handed batter. He is a promising player."
4. Ajit Agarkar on adding Kuldeep Yadav ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal - "It is difficult to fit two wrist spinners in the squad. Kuldeep is ahead of Chahal at this time because of his performance."