Asia Cup 2022: "Both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik Will Play In My Playing XI": Kiran More

The BCCI announced the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2022 on Monday, August 8. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul made a comeback into the side with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out from the tournament with a back injury. Mohammed Shami did not find a place in the squad as did Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav amongst others.

The Indian squad selected has too many right-handers with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja as the only two left-handers who will be a part of the line-up. Meanwhile, heading into the tournament the biggest problem for the Indian team will be to choose the ideal playing XI keeping in mind the right combination.

The return of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul has thrown options in front of the management with many players available for multiple batting positions. Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and now the returning KL Rahul will have to fight for several spots in the XI. 

Meanwhile, former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More has said that he would not mind selecting both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant in the playing XI for the Asia Cup. Both Pant and Karthik played the recent T20I series against West Indies. 

Will Play Rishabh Pant Ahead Of Deepak Hooda Alongside Dinesh Karthik: Kiran More

“In my playing XI, both Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik will play. If the idea is for Dinesh Karthik to sit outside, then I will not take him to tours. He has performed very well in recent times, he has been given the role of the specialist finisher as well,” More said. 

He further added that he will select Pant ahead of Deepak Hooda for the number four spot followed by along with Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Karthik in the lineup. 

“Rishabh Pant has not made a lot of runs in that role, and he has struggled a little as well. But he is a super player, and I will definitely play him. I will probably sit out Deepak Hooda from the team and play with Hardik Pandya, Pant, Karthik and Jadeja,” he further added.

India Squad For Asia Cup 2022

Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Chahar, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan

Stand by: Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Axar Patel.