The BCCI men's selection committee on Monday (August 21) announced Team India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023, slated to be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan from August 30 to September 17.

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s fitness was a main discussion point at selection meeting. As it turned out, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel included both of them in the squad.

The committee picked an extended 17-member squad, opting for safer choices factoring in the potential of testing back-up options in the five (six if they reach final) Asia Cup games.

The notable inclusion in the squad was that of promising left-hander Tilak Varma, who impressed one and all with his consistency in his debut T20I series against West Indies earlier this month.

There was also a noteworthy omission as wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal failed to make the cut.

Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the continental tournament, also featuring Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. The squad features Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur as seam-bowling all-rounders while Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel are the two spinning all-rounders.

Kuldeep Yadav is the premier spinner in the squad whereas Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna form the pace attack. Sanju Samson has been picked in the squad as a stand-by player.

The Men in Blue will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2.

India’s Asia Cup 2023 Squad:

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami,

Stand-by Player: Sanju Samson