Asia Cup 2023: India announce17-members squad for upcoming tournament, Rahul-Iyer makes comeback, Tilak Verma also included

After days of anticipation and suspense, India finally revealed their Asia Cup squad on Monday. The team will be led by skipper Rohit Sharma, while Hardik Pandya will be his deputy. The team is now gearing up for the upcoming tournament, as they will camp in the coming days. Excitingly, wicketkeeper-batsmen KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have made a strong comeback after recovering from their injuries.

The squad comprises a blend of experienced players and emerging talents. The batting department will be led by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav. Additionally, the wicketkeeping duties will be done by Rahul, while Ishan Kishan will be his backup. In a surprise entry, India has selected 20-year-old Tilak Verma as a backup batter.

In the spin department, India has picked Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. It shows that the team did not consider an off-spinner or another leg spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal. The selectors have also picked two all-rounders and five pacers. Allrounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will need to contribute with both bat and ball, adding depth to the team’s lineup. They will be accompanied by another spinner, Axar Patel, too.

India will face Pakistan in the opening game.

The pace attack will be led by ace pacers Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur. Thakur is the highest wicket-taker for India in the last four years. Notably, Hardik Pandya will be another pace option who is also expected to play a crucial role.

The Asia Cup tournament, commencing on August 30, will kick off with Pakistan taking on Nepal at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated match of the Asia Cup will feature India facing arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. This high-stakes encounter is already generating buzz among fans and cricket enthusiasts.

India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishan, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson (backup)

Here is how fans react to India’s squad for Asia Cup: