The Board of Control for Cricket in India, on Tuesday, August 21, announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Rohit Sharma will continue leading the team, while Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team.
The team’s lineup got a boost with KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer making a comeback. They have been on the sidelines due to injuries for quite a while. While Shreyas is fully fit now, KL Rahul, who recovered from an old injury during the 2023 Indian Premier League, is carrying a niggle and could miss the first couple of matches in the continental tournament.
In the rich history of the Asia Cup, India’s track record shines the brightest, securing a total of seven titles, with six of them earned in the ODI format. As the upcoming season approaches, India has its eyes firmly fixed on the eighth title, viewing it as a stepping stone towards the much-anticipated World Cup 2023 set to kick off this October on home soil.
Team India will kick off its Asia Cup 2023 campaign when they lock horns with Pakistan on September 2 at Pallekele Stadium, Sri Lanka. On that note, let’s take a look at the strongest playing XI of India for Asia Cup 2023:
India’s Playing XI for Asia Cup 2023 (Probable)
Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
During the press conference, Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector for team India, made it official that Shubman Gill is slated to join forces with Captain Rohit Sharma as India’s opening duo for the Asia Cup 2023. As Rohit Sharma continues to lead the charge at the top in the 50-overs format, the 23-year-old Shubman Gill has cemented his role as India’s consistent opener across all formats.
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk)
Team India boasts an exceptionally formidable middle order. With powerhouses like Virat Kohli, set to take on number three, the returning Shreyas Iyer reclaiming number four, and the wicket-keeping maestro KL Rahul, renowned for his brilliance at number five, it’s evident that this is a middle-order lineup most teams can only aspire to have in peak form.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
When it comes to the all-rounders, Team India is packing a punch with the trio of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur. While Pandya and Jadeja’s around skills make them prized assets, Shardul Thakur’s reputation as a wicket-taking bowler and his ability to provide timely breakthroughs, along with his handy batting down the order, solidify his role within the team.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah
When the curtain lifted on the Asia Cup 2023 squad, a wave of surprise rippled through, triggered by the omission of seasoned leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The selectors’ preference for Kuldeep Yadav, backed by his recent impressive outings, cements his direct entry into the fold of Team India. On the fast bowling front, the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami brings a formidable pace duo to the fore.
India’s Playing XI
Rohit Sharma (C) Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah
