Asia Cup 2023, India Asia Cup Squad: The Asia Cup is to be held from August 30, For which the Indian team can be announced by the end of this week. Apart from this, the team has to be selected for the ODI World Cup. Although there are only two months left in the World Cup, the composition of the team is yet to be decided. It is being said that India can select 16-18 players in the Asia Cup.
The national selection committee will have to choose between Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur as an additional fast bowlers while picking a 15-member squad for the World Cup starting October 5.
According to the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC), all the World Cup playing teams have to hand over the information of their initial team of 15 members to the ICC by 5 September and the information of the final team members can be handed over by 27 September. Meanwhile, as many changes as possible can be made in both teams. Interestingly, the ODI series against Australia will end on September 27 only.
16-18 players can be selected for India Asia Cup 2023 Squad
Looking at the changes in the team and a strong team selection, it is highly expected that India will be going to select 16 to 18 players for the India Asia Cup and the home series against Australia. In such a situation, it will not be surprising that 16-18 players will get a chance in the team.
Unadkat and Shardul are sure to get a chance in the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka and the three-match home series against Australia. India will begin their campaign in the World Cup on October 8 against Australia in Chennai, two months before that the team combination is yet to be finalized. The availability of injured KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will definitely make India favorites for the title but it will be the bowling combination that will decide India’s fortunes on slow pitches.
Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj are confirmed to play
A new challenge before the Indian team is who can be an additional fast bowler and third spinner in the team. The situation regarding the selection of a third spinner and an additional fast bowler is not clear yet.
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Jasprit Bumrah has made a comeback after recovering from injury and will play in the World Cup 2023 even if he is 80 percent fit. Similarly, the playing of Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj is also decided. Hardik Pandya will play the role of the fourth fast bowler. It is expected that he will bowl six to eight overs in each match and in such a situation the role of reserve fast bowler becomes important.
Only one between Shardul and Unadkat could get chance
Shardul Thakur took eight wickets in three ODIs on the tour of the West Indies. This performance of his proves him far ahead of Jaydev Undkat. Meaning that there is a lot of chance of his election.
As far as Unadkat is concerned, he can get the advantage of being a left-arm fast bowler. Arshdeep Singh, another left-arm fast bowler, has been selected in the squad for the Asian Games, putting Unadkat in contention for a place in the World Cup squad.
Akshar Patel’s claim is stronger than Chahal
As far as the third spinner is concerned, Akshar Patel is still ahead of Yajuvendra Chahal, although his skills are similar to Ravindra Jadeja, who is sure to be in the playing XI in every match. There is a possibility that the Indian team to play in the Asia Cup is likely to be selected by the end of this week or by next week.
These players will be included in Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper/batsman), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper/Batsman), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Akshar Patel, Jaspreet Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishaan Kishan (wicketkeeper/batsman), Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat.
