Asia Cup 2018: Will the Selectors Rest the Big Guns?

Reigning champions, India will look to continue their good run in upcoming Asia Cup 2018 when they start their campaign on September 18 (Tuesday) at Dubai International Stadium.

Virat to get rest for Asia Cup 2018?

However, the selectors will have the dilemma of whether to rest the big guns ahead of the Windies and Australia tour. India skipper, Virat Kohli, who has been in rich form is playing non-stop cricket. Since regaining his fitness after the neck injury in the IPL, he has played all the matches in England. Furthermore, Kohli also suffered a back problem during the Lord’s Test.

Keeping in mind the Windies and Australia tour, the selectors would be tempted to rest Virat Kohli. However, with the potential of playing Pakistan twice in Asia Cup 2018, Kohli will be keen to take part.

“As much as I know Kohli, he’d be willing to play even on one leg,” former Australian batsman Dean Jones said. 

Meanwhile, MSK Prasad-led selection committee will meet on Saturday at BCCI headquarters to pick the squad.

There will also be a deliberation to rest the likes of Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah, who just returned from injury.

“We know that our players have been on the road for a long time, and need some rest. But who gets a break is a question that depends on the workload of an individual player, and the fitness reports of the physio,” a source in the BCCI told TOI last night.

If Virat Kohli gives a miss, swashbuckling opener, Rohit Sharma will come back to lead team India.

In-form Mayank Agarwal or Prithvi Shaw could get a nod ahead if the selectors decide to rest the openers. Hardik Pandya’s replacement could be Tamil Nadu all-rounder, Vijay Shankar.

Furthermore, Manish Pandey is likely to return to the middle-order following his scintillating performance for India B in the quadrangular series. Also, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will come back to share the spin duties.