Rinku Singh Axed, Tilak Varma Slaughtered, KL Rahul Given Free Space- India Asia Cup Squad 2023 Locked

Rinku Singh Axed, Tilak Varma Slaughtered, KL Rahul Given Free Space- India Asia Cup Squad 2023 Locked. Towards the end of this year, India has a huge campaign in the form of the ICC World Cup 2023. Similarly, towards the end of this month, India has a crucial campaign in the form of Asia Cup 2023.

The clash of the Asian giants begins on August 30. Asia Cup 2023 will witness a battle between six teams. India, Pakistan, Nepal are part of Group A in the tournament. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are part of Group B.

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Asia Cup 2023 will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka in two stages. Pakistan will host the first four games while Sri Lanka will host the next 9 encounters including the final.

With 7 titles, India is the most successful team in Asia Cup history. However, they could not reach the final in the previous edition last year. Losing two games in the super four round, India was eliminated from the tournament. This time, the men-in-blue seeks to make a comeback and win the trophy.

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To clinch Asia Cup 2023 title, India will have to form a powerful squad that can combat effectively against other teams. Since Asia Cup 2023 follows an ODI format this time, India is a strong contender to win the title. Here we talk about India’s probable squad for Asia Cup 2023.

India’s Asia Cup Squad (Predicted)

Openers- Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill

Since the Asia Cup 2023 happens in the ODI format, there are no better options than Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma for openers. Rohit Sharma, being the skipper, is also a crucial member of the team.

Since he only plays as an opener in every format, he grabs a fixed berth as an opener. Sharma has been impressive in ODIs, smacking multiple centuries this year. Shubman Gill has successfully replaced Shikhar Dhawan as an opener in the ODI team. His T20I stats are a little low but his ODI stats are awesome.

The right-handed batsman has also shattered 3 ODI tons this year including a double ton. Recently in IND vs WI ODI series, Gill smacked an 85-run knock in the final ODI to win the Player of the Match award.

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Middle-Order- Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul

With his vivacious form, Virat Kohli is a definite member of India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have recovered post their respective surgeries. Since they have already started net practice, they will get a place in Asia Cup 2023 squad if they are match-ready.

Right-handed batter Shreyas Iyer is a regular member of the ODI team for the last few years. Before his injury in March 2023, he played 3 ODIs and slammed 94 runs. If he is fit, he will grab the No. 4 spot.

KL Rahul drove India to victory against Australia in an ODI game this year with his unbeaten 75 runs. The LSG captain has struggled in T20Is or Tests but has been impressive in ODIs. Hence, Rahul can also get a place.

Wicketkeepers- Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan

If KL Rahul is picked in India’s squad for Asia Cup 2023, he will be one of the wicketkeepers for the team. However, India can’t risk him to keep the stumps throughout the tournament, as Rahul is not a full-time keeper.

Even if KL Rahul gets a place in India’s squad, keepers like Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan can still get opportunities. Since Rishabh Pant is injured and can’t play in Asia Cup 2023, Samson and Kishan are good choices.

In the recent ODI series against West Indies, left-hander Kishan shattered 3 fifties to win the Player of the Series award. Samson scored a fifty in one ODI out of two. Hence, both of them are in-form batters.

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All-Rounders- Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel

Hardik Pandya is the vice-captain of India team and will be one of the all-rounders. With his pace bowling, he will act as the fourth seamer in the team. In the ongoing IND vs WI series, Pandya has shown good performance on numerous occasions.

Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be spin all-rounders. Since the last 2-3 years, Jadeja and Patel have done amazing jobs as spin all-rounders in all three formats.

Spinners- Yuzvendra Chahal And Kuldeep Yadav

Since Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in the Asian subcontinent, spinners will play a key role in spin-friendly wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal can be picked in the squad.

Left-arm pacer Yadav won the Player of the Match award in the IND vs WI 1st ODI with his four-wicket haul. He showed impressive form in the other two games too. Chahal picked 2 wickets in the 1st T20I against West Indies to showcase an amazing form.

Being a right-arm spinner, Chahal gives different variations to spin attacks. Notably, spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are also left-arm spinners.

Pacers- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

For the pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj will be three bowlers who can be picked in Asia Cup 2023. Bumrah makes his return in the forthcoming IND vs IRE series. He will later take the field in Asia Cup 2023.

Although one could not see Bumrah on the field this year, no one can forget his mayhem of 6/19 against England in an ODI last year. Registering his best bowling show in ODIs, Bumrah also broke Ashish Nehra’s previous record of 6/23 against England in 2023.

Siraj is the most successful pacer for Team India in ODIs this year. Shami has also been decent with his bowling in ODIs in 2023. Shami is a highly experienced pacer who has led the pace attack for India in Tests and ODI for the last few years with Jasprit Bumrah.