BCCI Announce Squad For Asia Cup 2023, KL Rahul & Iyer Back In Team

The BCCI has announced the squad for Team India for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Some interesting and surprising call has been made by Ajit Agarkar led the selection committee. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are back in the team after fitness clearance. The team management was waiting for both the players to come as the middle order was struggling big time. India’s squad consists of 17 members and one backup reserve player.

The chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, along with the other selectors have announced India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad after a meeting in New Delhi on August 21. Coach Rahul Dravid and Captain Rohit Sharma were also present in the 2 hours long meeting, which started at 11:00 AM IST.

India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023:-

So this is the team for Team India for the Asia Cup 2023. Team India will start their campaign against Pakistan on September 02 at Pallekele. 

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer back in the squad

Both the players were recovering from their long injuries. They both had surgery and were doing rehab at NCA. As soon as both the players gets the clarity on their fitness, they got back in the team.

These two players’ fitness was one of the reasons why BCCI took the time to announce the Asia Cup 2023 squad. The team wanted both players in their middle order. Both played a few practice games in NCA and did enough to be back in the squad.

KL Rahul might miss a game or two

Ajit Agarkar, in a press conference, said that KL Rahul is facing some niggle. Although that niggle is not related to his long injury. He might miss a game or two in the Asia Cup 2023. That’s why, they have picked a backup reserve Sanju Samson in the team.

Agarkar also said that Shreyas Iyer has regained his full fitness and is ready to go.

Surprise entry for Tilak and Krishna

Tilak Varma, who has done exceedingly well in the West Indies T20Is has been promoted in ODIs as well. He has shown immense talent and composure to be one of the options for the team.      

At one stage, when there was no clarity on Rahul and Iyer’s fitness, he was in talk for that No. 4 slot. Tilak had a very good two IPL seasons as well.

Prasidh Krishna – a backup fast bowling option

P Krishna might be the backup fast-bowling option in the team. As we all know, the team needs a backup option sometimes to manage the workload of the fast bowlers. And with Jasprit Bumrah coming back with a long injury, Team India might get another option in Krishna if they have to sit Bumrah out in a few games.  

Pandya remains the vice-captain

Earlier, some reports suggest that Jasprit Bumrah might be the front-runner to become the vice-captain of the team. But the selectors have decided to persist with Hardik Pandya for that role. He is also the captain of the T20I team.

No place for Yuzi Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal got unlucky this time around as well. Kuldeep Yadav has done well and he is the preferred wrist-spinning option for Team India. Captain Rohit Sharma stressed the need for a batter at No. 8 or 9, and Chahal doesn’t fit in that role.

Axar Patel was preferred over Chahal

Rohit also praised Axar Patel’s performance with the bat in the last couple of years. Axar gives the team a much-needed batting depth in the lower middle order.

 “We had a deep discussion about an offspinner and a legspinner as well. But see, things boil down to batting options at Nos. 8 and 9. We wanted someone who can bat there. Axar had a good run this year, did well in white-ball cricket. With him being there, it allows us that option of firstly having that left-hander who can go up and play the spinners and then he creates for us that batting depth. We talked about Ashwin and Washington as well. As you saw, even Chahal missed out because we can only get 17 players in.”

An off-spinning option in Ashwin and Sundar was also considered, but couldn’t find a place in the team. Chahal was also left out of the T20I WC 2021 squad and hasn’t got a single game in the T20I WC 2022.

Suryakumar – An X-Factor?

Suryakumar Yadav, despite not doing well in the ODIs, has found a place in the Asia Cup 2023 squad. He has done outstandingly well in the T20Is and has so much to offer in ODIs. His ability to play shots and win games in T20s helps him to get the nod in the Asia Cup 2023 squad. On a given day, he might win you an unbelievable game from a tough situation.

The other core group is the same and consists of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Radeja, Siraj, etc.

Asia Cup 2023 Schedule | Date & Venue