The Team India squad for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 has been unveiled by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. With a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, the squad aims to strike the right balance as the team gears up for the upcoming tournament.
While the selection process is always met with speculation and discussions, the absence of seasoned opener Shikhar Dhawan has drawn attention. Cricket enthusiasts and fans of Dhawan have questioned the decision, expressing their surprise and curiosity over his exclusion. In response, Ajit Agarkar highlighted that the preferred opening batsmen for Team India are Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan.
The Asia Cup 2023 squad showcases a combination of youth and experience. Emerging player Tilak Verma, who showcased remarkable performances against West Indies, has secured a spot in the squad and will be closely observed in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup 2023. Alongside the young talents of Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, the squad also features seasoned campaigners such as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
Renowned cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his contentment with the selections, emphasizing that the squad is top-notch. Gavaskar stated, “Pretty much on expected lines. People will always talk about one or two here and there but I think this is a top team. Excellent team. Probably the best we could have chosen,” as he shared his views on India Today.
The omission of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has also prompted discussions. Chahal’s standout performances in recent tournaments, including the Indian Premier League, had made him a significant contender. India captain Rohit Sharma explained that the team’s selection process considered various factors and highlighted that the inclusion of an offspinner was also contemplated. However, due to squad limitations, Chahal had to miss out this time.
The announced Team India Asia Cup 2023 squad consists of a formidable lineup:
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Verma
- Ishan Kishan
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Shami
- Mohammed Siraj
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
The squad’s composition reflects the management’s efforts to evaluate fresh talents and blend them with established players, creating a competitive and balanced team poised for success in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.