Follow UsIndian selectors have announced the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023, with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul returning from respective injuries. While Yuzvendra Chahal is not part of the squad, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma have made it to the team, which will almost mirror the team for the upcoming World Cup.
"We are expecting KL Rahul to be fit, if not at the start of Asia Cup, mostly for the second or third game, that's why Sanju Samson is the backup. Shreyas Iyer has passed his fitness test," Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, said in the press conference.
Iyer had injury concerns in his back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March and has not played since opting for surgery. Meanwhile, Rahul suffered an injury in his right thigh while chasing the ball during a game in IPL 2023. Since 2022, Iyer has been the second-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs (818 runs averaging 51.1). Rahul has also played various crucial knocks for India at number five.
Jasprit Bumrah has also returned to the squad, as is Prasidh Krishna, after the duo proved their fitness with wonderful bursts of bowling in the first two T20Is against Ireland in Dublin. The duo had been in the National Cricket Academy for a while but their return will inspire a lot of confidence for the Indian team.
India have persisted with Suryakumar despite the Mumbaikar’s failure to capitalize on the chances in the 50-over format. With Shreyas Iyer returning to the squad and all set to take the No.4 position, it is most likely that SKY will warm the bench, with Rahul batting at No.5.
With no Chahal in the squad, Kuldeep Yadav is chosen as the primary spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh will handle the pace-bowling unit, alongside all-rounders Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya. The latter has also been named as the vice-captain of the side.
"Unfortunately, we have got a lot of injuries, so we had to try different things. We brought in Axar Patel at number four to try the left-handed option. All this was done so that we are reassured for the World Cup," Rohit said.
In the Asia Cup, India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and Nepal and will play on September 2 and September 4 in Pallekele.
Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, 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 Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (back-up).