The India squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan-Sri Lanka is set to be announced on Monday, August 21, in a special press conference with the newly-appointed chief selector Ajit Agarkar as well as skipper Rohit Sharma, and ahead of the but a report circulating in the media does not bode well for two of India's premier batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, currently on the sidelines.
The players in question — KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer — are both reportedly set to be omitted from the squad, with the selectors wary of rushing them back into the game without achieving full fitness.
Rahul underwent surgery for a right thigh issue after injuring himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season, while Iyer also did a procedure for a back ailment. Both players are keen to resume competitive cricket, but their selection is contingent upon a fitness review. This has prompted the committee to call in Nitin Patel, the Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Patel will offer fitness updates on the two batters as well as Jasprit Bumrah, who captained a second-string India side to victory in the T20I series in Ireland. The selectors aim to gauge if Rahul and Iyer are ready for the demands of a full 50-over game.
The report also added that the selectors are hesitant to directly involved the duo in a high-pressure tournament like the Asia Cup without any warm-up matches.
While KL Rahul can be spared given the options of wicketkeeper-batters like Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson in the squad, Iyer's potential inclusion will hinge on the team management's strategy. Since his injury, the team has struggled to find a consistent player for the number four spot, even experimenting with Suryakumar Yadav in the position during the West Indies tour but to no avail.
Spin department a concern
Meanwhile, the selection committee will reportedly also discuss the idea of bolstering the team's spin department for the Asia Cup as they begin preparing for the ODI World Cup in October-November.
The current roster features two left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav who has solidified his spot in the squad, there's a desire to introduce more diversity to the spin attack. This has led to speculation that off-spinner Washington Sundar might be a surprise inclusion for the Asia Cup.
This might spell disappointment for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, with Sundar also adding batting depth and flexibility to the line-up.
Jasprit Bumrah to be Rohit Sharma's deputy
In other news, as reported yesterday, Jasprit Bumrah is emerging as a prime contender for the vice-captaincy of the Indian cricket team. This move comes as he is pitted against the vibrant all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, who recently took up the mantle of T20I captaincy.
While Pandya's captaincy has been showcased in the T20I format, Bumrah’s return to international cricket during the current T20I series against Ireland has heightened discussions about his leadership potential. His prior experience as a captain for the Test team in 2022 and his tenure as ODI vice-captain during the South African tour before Pandya solidifies his standing.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
Asia Cup: Rahul Dravid provides injury updates on KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer after India loss to West Indies
Asia Cup 2023: KL Rahul displays 'impressive fitness levels' at NCA, 'marked improvement' in Shreyas Iyer's fitness
