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As the eagerly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 approaches, cricket fans around the world are gearing up for an electrifying tournament that promises to showcase the best of Asian cricketing talent. This year’s edition will feature a unique hybrid model, with select matches scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the rest in Sri Lanka. The tournament is scheduled to kick off on August 30 and will culminate with the final match on September 17, encompassing a total of 13 games.
The spotlight will undoubtedly be on traditional powerhouses such as India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, all of whom boast impressive track records in the Asia Cup over the years. Leading up to the tournament, speculation has been rife about the composition of Team India, particularly after their triumphant campaign in the 2018 Asia Cup under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.
With Rohit set to once again lead the Men in Blue, cricket aficionados are eagerly awaiting the team’s performance and strategic choices. The latest development comes from Star Sports’ experts panel, which has picked India’s squad for the upcoming multi-team event.
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No place for Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul; Tilak Varma gets a shot
The top-order batters selected by the experts panel include Rohit a himself, along with Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (who will also serve as the wicketkeeper), and Virat Kohli. The inclusion of Kishan as the sole wicketkeeper has raised eyebrows, as notable contenders like Sanju Samson and KL Rahul have been left out of the squad.
Surprising many, the experts panel has also decided to omit Shreyas Iyer, a middle-order specialist for Team India. Both Rahul and Iyer’s absence is particularly notable considering their recent return to the practice nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. The skilled batters have been recovering from their respective injuries sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and IPL 2023, respectively.
Stepping into the middle-order breach are emerging talents Tilak Varma and Mr.360 Suryakumar Yadav. Tilak has impressed one and all with his batting exhibition in the recently-concluded T20I series against West Indies. These stars are expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing India’s batting lineup. The all-round department features a formidable lineup comprising Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur, all of whom bring a unique set of skills to the table.
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In the bowling department, the experts have opted for a balanced combination of spin and pace. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will be accompanied by the pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammad Siraj. This bowling lineup promises to provide a blend of variety and experience, poised to challenge even the most formidable of opponents.
Star Sports’ India squad for the Asia Cup 2023:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.
