Asia Cup 2023: Jasprit Bumrah Set To Replace Hardik Pandya As Indian Team's Vice-Captain - Reports

The men’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to have an important meeting before picking India’s squad for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup. Ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be named the vice-captain of India’s squad for the continental tournament.

Team India’s head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma will participate in the meeting in New Delhi on Monday. Dravid will be physically present at the meeting of the national cricket team selectors, while Rohit is expected to join through a video conference from Mumbai.

Selectors Likely To Announce Squad For Asia Cup On August 21

The selectors will choose the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, which is set to be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar is expected to select a 15 or 17-member squad, with most of the players likely to be retained for the ODI World Cup as well.

As per the Times of India, Ajit Agarkar will address the media regarding the squad selection after the completion of the meeting. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t held a press conference since the resignation of former selector Chetan Sharma in February.

“Bangladesh and Pakistan have picked 17-member squads but they are travelling between Pakistan and Sri Lanka unlike India,” said a source.

As per ICC rules, all the teams must announce their initial squad of 15 members by September 5. The final squad submission can be finalized by September 27. The participating nations are permitted to make changes to their World Cup squad between the initial and final submissions.

Not Really Nervous But Very Happy – Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah was named captain of the second-string India squad for the three-match T20I series against Ireland. The right-arm pacer said that he wasn’t nervous while bowling in his comeback game in international cricket after 11 months.

“Felt very good, so many sessions I did at the NCA, didn’t feel I missed out a lot or was doing something new. Credit to the staff, they kept me in good spirits.

You are not thinking about yourself, you are thinking about others out there. Not really nervous but very happy. There was some swing upfront so we wanted to use it. Luckily we won the toss and it was coming out fine,” he added.

Hardik Pandya led the team in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against the West Indies. The star all-rounder also led the team in the last two ODIs against the Windies during the same tour.

Also read: IND vs IRE: Here’s How Jasprit Bumrah Remodelled His Bowling Action After Comeback