Last Update on: September 1st, 2023 at 06:30 pm
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has spoken about the importance of the Asia Cup in the build-up to the ICC World Cup 2023. India will begin their campaign against Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele.
Ahead of the big game, Rohit Sharma addressed the press conference stating about how important the tournament is in India’s ultimate aim to win the World Cup at home.
Asia Cup An Important Tournament For All Of Us: Rohit Sharma
Responding to a question on whether the Asia Cup is a “final fitness test” before the World Cup at home, Rohit said: “By no means, this is a fitness test or any other thing. This is a tournament played between top 6 Asian teams. It’s a very big tournament for all of us, without a doubt. In the past, it has had so much history. So yeah, the fitness test and the fitness camp and all that was done in Bengaluru. Now, we have to move ahead and get out game face on and see what we can achieve in this tournament,” Rohit said in Pallekela on Friday.
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KL Rahul is not a part of the Indian team that has traveled to Pallekele. Head coach Rahul Dravid shared an update on his fitness saying that he will be missing India’s first two games and a decision on his future in the Asia Cup will be taken on September 4.
The BCCI named a 17-member Indian squad with Rahul back in the squad along with Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. The wicket-keeper batter will be unfortunately missing the two games due to a slight niggle as per Dravid.
India will also need to be wary about how they use their bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah who is returning to international cricket after 11 months. He led India in the T20I series against Ireland recently. However, he is India’s biggest weapon with the ball in this tournament and needs to be handled sensibly.
“All 6 bowlers are great bowlers, they have proven in world cricket how good they are. Speaking of Shami, Siraj and Bumrah… especially Bumrah who is coming back from an injury after a long time. He played in Ireland, he looked good there. And then the small camp we had in Bengaluru, he looked good as well. Yes, he is looking in good spirits and that’s a good sign for us,” said Rohit on Bumrah’s fitness.
The Indian team is expected to announce their World Cup squad on September 5, a day after their match against Nepal.
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