/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/UF1wibnY8NwUQ4wSzKwV.jpg)
India's Asia Cup 2023 squad announced (Source: Twitter)
The Indian Cricket Board announced the much-awaited squad for the 2023 Asia Cup on Monday, August 21, in New Delhi. The announcement was made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar after the selection meeting between Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid. A 17-member squad led by Rohit Sharma will take part in the continental tournament co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka starting on August 30.
The major talking points from the squad announcement are the return of injured Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Bumrah is returning after proving his fitness in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland. Meanwhile, Rahul and Iyer have not played a single match since their injuries, but they have shown significant progress in their recovery in recent times and have now been declared fit to participate in the 50-over tournament.
The biggest surprise was the inclusion of India's rising sensation Tilak Varma, who made his international debut in the recently concluded West Indies tour. The southpaw has been impressive in the last two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons and carried his form with Team India to have an outstanding debut, where he finished as the second-highest top scorer in the five-match T20I series.
Ishan Kishan - in, Sanju Samson - out
Meanwhile, there were reports that Bumrah would be Rohit's deputy as the 29-year-old secured his first series win as captain in the ongoing series against Ireland in Dublin. However, Hardik Pandya was chosen as the vice-captain of the team. Ishan Kishan's superb performances against the Windies in the ODI series earned him a spot in the squad, perhaps serving as a backup opening option. Among the exclusions, Sanju Samson is a big name, but he will travel with the team as a backup wicketkeeper.
The 2023 Asia Cup will kick off with Pakistan taking on Nepal in Multan on August 30. India will start their 2023 Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy on September 2. The squad looks strong with key players returning and they will aim for a successful outing with the upcoming ODI World Cup in mind.
India squad for Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, M Shami, M Siraj, Prasidh Krishan, Sanju Samson (back-up wicketkeeper)