The BCCI announced the Indian team squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 tournament which will be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka and begins from August 30, 2023, onwards.
India was the winners of the Asia Cup when it was last played in 50-over format in 2018 under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. This time as well, the Men in Blue side will be eager to do well, as the tournament will be a notable preparation for the upcoming World Cup 2023.
India has been placed in Group A with Pakistan and Nepal for the Asia Cup and they will play Pakistan on September 2nd and Nepal on September 4th, with both matches to be played in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan were named as the openers for the continental event. Virat Kohli was also named for the No. 3 spot in the Indian team.
Asia Cup 2023: BCCI announces India’s 17-member squad for Asia Cup; Tilak Varma included
One big news was the inclusion of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer as the duo returned to the Indian team after a long gap. Shreyas Iyer has been out since March 2023 with a back issue and Rahul has been out of action since May 2023 after suffering a thigh injury.
Both underwent surgeries for their respective injuries and Iyer has been deemed fit to return with Rahul still suffering a small niggle, but good enough to be included in the squad for the Asia Cup.
The middle order will also have Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav to bolster the batting and the only new face chosen was that of Tilak Varma. The left-hander impressed everyone enough in West Indies to earn his maiden ODI call-up.
The spin department saw Kuldeep Yadav being the only wrist spin option meaning that Yuzvendra Chahal missed out. Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel were the other two spinners being named in the Asia Cup squad.
As for the pace options, India is spoilt for choices as they picked Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Sanju Samson will be the backup option for traveling with the team for the Asia Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, the squad evoked many reactions from the fans and experts alike on social media with some lauding the selections, while some criticized the squad.
Here are some reactions:
