The Asia Cup 2023 is just two weeks away to start, and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) hasn’t announced Team India’s squad for the tournament. Other teams like Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh have already announced their squad for the Asia Cup 2023. While India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan are yet to announce the squad for the same. Today, we will see the reason why BCCI hasn’t announced the Indian team squad yet.
Asia Cup to begin on August 30
The Asia Cup 2023 will commence on August 30, with the host Pakistan will play the tournament opener against Nepal in Multan. This is the only game Multan will host. The other three games of the Pakistan leg will happen in Lahore (including one game of Super 4).
When will India play their first game?
Team India will start its Asia Cup 2023 campaign against the arch-rivals Pakistan on September 02 in Pallekele.
3 possible India vs Pakistan games expected
There are possibilities that we might see three matches between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. It is highly unlikely that Nepal going through the Super 4s because it will be very difficult for them to beat big teams like India and Pakistan. So one game of Super 4 is almost certain.
Now, if India and Pakistan both will reach the final, we will see round 3 in the Asia Cup 2023 as well. Let’s see if it happens or not.
Why the BCCI hasn’t announced the India squad yet?
With only two weeks left for the Asia Cup 2023, the BCCI still hasn’t announced the squad yet. And the main reason for this is they are waiting for the update on their injured players.
Indian teams are missing the services of some of their big players like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, etc. Bumrah will be back in the Ireland series. And the team management will assess him in those games.
Unfortunately, Pant will not be fit for the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC World Cup 2023. He is right now undergoing rehab and eyeing a comeback next year in England series at home.
What about KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer?
The team management is looking for the availability of two of their mainstays in the middle order, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
Team India struggles in the recently concluded West Indies series. Their batting lineup hasn’t fired as per the expectations. And with two big assignments coming up in the Asia Cup and World Cup, they need their big players to be back in the team.
India’s middle order muddle
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are two very good middle-order batters as far as ODIs are concerned. They have done well over the years and earned that spot for themselves. With their unavailability, Team India’s middle order struggled recently.
Now, team management is looking for their progress report and as soon as the clarity on these two comes, BCCI will announce the squad for the Asia Cup 2023.
Both are doing rehab in NCA
Both KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are at NCA (National Cricket Academy), Bengaluru, and going into the process of attaining full fitness so that they can get back in the Indian team.
Recently, R Pant, who is also in NCA, shared a video of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer batting in the practice game at NCA.
This is a good sign for Team India that they have started the batting. But the call on both of them will be taken later after assessing.
Rahul and Iyer – Important for WC
KL Rahul S Iyer has done well and has so much experience now. In fact, the team is looking at KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper batter option as well.
“Keeping 50-overs in Sri Lankan heat would take a toll, and NCA can only give him (Rahul) a fit certificate if he can don the gloves without any apparent discomfort. Also, they (Rahul and Iyer) have not played anything, and the first international game against Pakistan could be a bit too much pressure. But then time is of the essence.” – The BCCI source said.
So when will the Asia Cup 2023 India squad announce?
The squad for Team India is expected to announce before the end of this week (before the 20th of August). If KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer passed the fitness criteria, they will be back for the Asia Cup 2023.
Tilak Varma could be another option
Tilak Varma, who has done well in his debut series against West Indies is the talk of the town now. He has looked mature in the middle order. And if Rahul and Iyer might not fit, the selectors might consider him for that No. 4 spot.
But he will only be considered if both Rahul and Iyer are ruled out. The BCCI source also said it is too early to fast-track him in the ODIs, especially in big tournaments.
Let’s see how India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad panned out. Thank you for reading. Keep following us for the latest updates.
