Asia Cup 2023: Latest Happenings From the Team India Camp

What is happening?
The Indian selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, is considering the selection of a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. This decision is being made as part of a thorough evaluation of potential options leading up to the ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to start on October 5.

Who is involved?
The Indian selection panel, under the leadership of Ajit Agarkar, is responsible for making the squad selections. Additionally, head coach Rahul Dravid has been invited to take part in the selection meeting, a departure from the usual practice. Rohit Sharma is the captain of the Indian cricket team.

When is this happening?
The Asia Cup is impending, and the selection panel is currently engaged in assessing the squad. The ODI World Cup is set to commence on October 5. The deadline for submitting the provisional 15-member World Cup squad is September 5, and the final squad needs to be finalized by September 27.

Where is this happening?
The selection meeting is taking place in New Delhi, India. The Asia Cup matches are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.

Why is this happening?
The selection panel is opting for a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup to carefully evaluate various players’ performances, particularly those who are being considered for the ODI World Cup. This approach allows the selectors to make informed decisions based on the players’ form, fitness, and potential contributions to the team.

How is this being approached?
In an unusual move, head coach Rahul Dravid has been invited to participate in the selection process, which is not the standard practice. The selection panel is mindful of fitness concerns surrounding players like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. Their fitness will influence whether they are included in the squad. The selection meeting is crucial for deciding the final 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup, with the possibility of changes before the deadline.

The Asian Cricket Council permits 17-member squads for the Asia Cup, and both Pakistan and Bangladesh have already selected squads of this size. The meeting will also discuss the inclusion of players like Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson, whose spots in the final 15 might depend on the fitness and availability of senior players like Rahul and Iyer.

The decision to include players like Ravichandran Ashwin in the World Cup squad is generating speculation. A former national selector has questioned why Ashwin wasn’t given the chance to assess his white-ball form in the West Indies after the Test series, and instead, a direct selection for the Asia Cup was considered.

Expected Indian Squad:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (subject to fitness), Shreyas Iyer (subject to fitness), Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishan Kishan (second wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Yuzvendra Chahal/Ravichandran Ashwin.