EDICRIC | Cricket News | India Squad Announced Asia Cup 2023: Rahul, Shreyas Iyer Backs

India Squad Announced Asia Cup 2023: Rahul, Shreyas Iyer Backs

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shared the names of 15 players who will be part of the Asia Cup 2023. This tournament will take place in Sri Lanka from September 1 to 14. The team, led by Rohit Sharma and coached by Rahul Dravid, has a mix of familiar and new faces. Let’s look at some key points from the squad announcement:

Kl Rahul And Shreyas Iyer Return

Two of India’s skilled batsmen, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, have returned to the Indian Cricket team after healing from their injuries. Rahul had a shoulder injury during IPL 2023, which required surgery. Iyer dislocated his shoulder during the ODI series against England in March. Both players have been away from the game for several months and are excited to prove their fitness and form in the Asia Cup.

Rahul, a consistent performer for India, will add stability and versatility to the top order. He can open the innings with Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill, or bat at No. 4 based on the situation. He’s also a capable wicketkeeper and can take over from Ishan Kishan if needed.

Iyer, known for his strong batting performances in domestic and IPL cricket, will strengthen the middle order with his aggressive and creative play. He can bat at No. 4 or 5 and take control during the middle overs. He’s also a good fielder and can bowl some off-spin.

Tilak Varma Maiden Call-up

A surprise addition to the team is Tilak Varma, a 19-year-old batsman from Hyderabad. He caught everyone’s attention with his performance in the U-19 World Cup 2020, scoring 250 runs in six matches at an average of 62.50 and a strike rate of 94.69. He also made his T20I debut against West Indies, scoring 52 off 21 balls in the second match.

Varma is a stylish left-handed batsman who can play shots all around the field. He has good skills and can adapt to different situations. He can also provide some leg-spin bowling if needed. He’s an exciting prospect to watch in the Asia Cup.

Jasprit Bumrah Comeback

India’s top fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah returns to the team after resting during the Ireland T20I series. Bumrah had a back stress fracture during the Test series against England in February and had to miss subsequent limited-overs matches against England and West Indies. He’s been focusing on his fitness and recovery and is eager to perform in the Asia Cup.

Bumrah is considered one of the best bowlers in white-ball cricket. He can deliver yorkers, slower balls, bouncers, and cutters at any point in the game. He can swing the new ball, bowl tightly in the middle overs, and excel in death overs. He’ll be supported by Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Hardik Pandya in the fast bowling department.

Kuldeep Yadav In The Squad

The only wrist-spinner in the squad is Kuldeep Yadav, who has faced challenges in recent times. He lost his place in the Indian team due to struggles with form and confidence over the past two years. He also didn’t have an IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders this year and played for Punjab Kings as a replacement.

However, Kuldeep has been given another opportunity to showcase his skills and regain his form in the Asia Cup. He’s known for his unique left-arm chinaman spin and variations like googly, flipper, and top-spinner. He can confuse batsmen with his clever turn and create wicket-taking chances. He’ll be competing with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer for a spot in the playing XI.

Full Squad For Asia Cup 2023

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Vice-Captain: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.