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ToggleAfter the setback in England, one might see a considerable change in the squad of Team India for Asia Cup 2018. With the middle-order problem being wide open, one can see Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) bringing in new faces to the side.
The youngsters are impressive in their India A tour to England followed it by the trip to South Africa. With the helluva of players showing their skills, BCCI might look after the players to strengthen Indian side.
Here are five players who might make their debut in Asia cup 2018:
5. Mayank Agarwal:
Probably, the Indian youngster Mayank Agarwal ticked all the boxes to share the dressing room with seniors in the team. He has been the revelation in the domestic circuit and carried his great form for India A as well.
Agarwal was relentless in scoring match-winning knocks for his side and pushing all the barriers to make a place in India’s squad. Though Dhawan and Rohit Sharma strongly hold the opening position, he can be tried in those musical chairs for number four position.
Though Agarwal’s stint with Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) hasn’t gone well, his recent double centuries and daddy hundreds might push the selectors to introduce him in the side.
Probably, Agarwal is the only player who has all the rights to own a place in the senior team from the domestic circuit. He has the records to show the selectors and questions them with a lot of pride.
4. Shubman Gill:
Shubman Gill has been impressive for India in whichever format the BCCI named him. His heroics yielded India the Under-19 World Cup later in New Zealand. He showed his worth as a player while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
He was then picked for India A and has impressed one and all with his match-winning knocks. Gill got the strong defence and had the nack to score runs at a brisk pace.
If the selectors don’t find age as an issue, one might see Shubman Gill making his debut for India. Most probably, he will be asked to solve middle-order woes if he earns the call-up.
The Punjab lad might attract their eye with his ability to play at any batting position. India might use him as a floater in the side as per the need of the situation. He already faced top-class bowlers in IPL.
3. Hanuma Vihari:
It’s a high time for the BCCI selectors to give a nod to Hanuma Vihari. He already registered giant tallies to his name in the domestic circuit and completed the procedure of playing for India A.
He came good for India A against England in the recent-concluded series and carrying his golden form in every other match. With the number four being a big area of concern for India and Vihari, being a middle-order batsman, selectors might have a look at him.
Adding yet another positive stat in his account, the classy right-handed batsman is the leading run-scorer in Ranji Trophy for the season of 2017-18.
He is a regular player in the India A team but unfortunately couldn’t find a place in India’s senior squad.
However, the things look like falling in place for the youngster. He is a perfect suit for the middle-order department which might tempt selectors to get a go for Andhra Pradesh’s skipper in the domestic circuit.
2. Prithvi Shaw:
The Mumbai youngster made rapid strides in Indian cricket. He started his career as a captain leading the under-19 troops and then made his way into Ranji Trophy with a remarkable century on debut.
Prithvi Shaw then skippered Indian Under-19 side that won the World Cup in New Zealand under the watchful eyes of Rahul Dravid. His heroics attracted Delhi Daredevils (DD) to bid for him and eventually asked him to open in place of Gautam Gambhir.
The talented right-hander made most of his chances by attracting the crowd with his majesty while batting. He was picked for India A tour to England and then travelled to South Africa as well,
Shaw became the lynchpin for India -A team with his consistent scores alongside Agarwal and Vihari at the top of the order. However, his chances look slim as India already got definite openers with legendary status.
1. Krunal Pandya:
The elder brother of Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya has all the skills to find a place in the Indian side. His ability to deliver under pressure and the capability of dealing with the economic spells might work in his favour.
Krunal has been the lynchpin for Mumbai Indians in IPL and later did well for his state team as well. His heroics yielded him a spot in the India A side. With the scarcity in all-rounder department, he might get a nod.
As India is in search of a finisher, a good season under his belt, Krunal has every chance to make it to the Indian side. With Indian lower-middle-order also failing to back the top-order heroics, Krunal can give the firepower for the team.