5 Indian players to watch out for in Asia Cup 2023 squad

On Monday (August 21) afternoon, the Indian Cricket Board announced a 17-member squad for the 2023 Asia Cup. With the return of injured players like Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma is looking strong. The 16th edition of the continental tournament will be held from August 30 to September 17 and will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

India will kick off their campaign with a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy on September 2. With key players back in the squad, the Men in Blue have a strong unit and will be aiming to start their ODI World Cup preparations with a successful campaign in Asia's largest cricket competition.

In this article, we take a look at five Indian players to watch out for in the Asia Cup 2023 squad

5. Shreyas Iyer

India's promising No. 4 batter is fit and is ready to make his comeback in the 2023 Asia Cup. Shreyas Iyer has been sidelined since the final Test of the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a back injury. Although he did not play any matches during this period, the Indian management kept faith in the 28-year-old who performed exceptionally well in the middle order. The right-hander has scored 1631 runs at an average of 46.6 and a strike rate of 96.51 from 42 matches in this format, including two centuries.

4. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep has been one of India's most improved cricketers in recent times and is currently one of the best limited-overs spinners in the squad. It is the kind of variety he brings to the table that prompted the selectors to prefer the left-arm chinaman ahead of senior spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Kuldeep was impressive in the recently concluded whit-ball series against West Indies. The highlight of the 28-year-old's Caribbean tour was his excellent performance in the first ODI, where he took four wickets for six runs in just three overs.

3. Jasprit Bumrah

India's premier pacer made an impressive comeback in the ongoing T20I series against Ireland after a long injury lay-off. Bumrah announced his return to international cricket with a two-wicket haul in the very first over he bowled. Team India has badly missed his presence in some major tournaments in the past, but the right-arm pacer has ensured that he recovers ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup. His immense experience, ability to provide breakthroughs and ability to handle pressure moments will be crucial for India.

2. Tilak Varma 

The biggest surprise in India's squad for the Asia Cup is rising star Tilak Varma, who made his international debut in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies. The 20-year-old had a fantastic Caribbean tour, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in the series. Although he is not guaranteed to be in the starting XI, his left-handed innings can bring stability to India's middle order.

1. Virat Kohli 

One of the greatest cricketers of the modern era, Virat Kohli is expected to play a key role in India's successful campaign in the continental tournament. After a serious dip in form, the ace batter regained his rhythm in last year's Asia Cup, where he scored a century against Afghanistan and finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. Kohli first played Asia Cup in 2010, and since then, he has scored 613 runs in 10 innings at an average of 61.3. This year, the right-hander has scored 787 runs in 15 ODIs with 3 centuries.