New Delhi
In a significant announcement, Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors for India’s cricket team, unveiled the 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. Agarkar mentioned that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been included in the squad after recovering from their respective injuries—a thigh injury for Rahul and a back injury for Iyer. The selected squad also introduces Tilak Varma, a left-handed batsman who is yet to make his One Day International (ODI) debut. Seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, who recently returned to international cricket after recovering from back surgeries, have also secured their places in the squad. Additionally, Mohammed Shami makes his return after being rested for the West Indies tour. The pace attack is rounded out by Mohammed Siraj, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur. Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been omitted from the squad, with Kuldeep Yadav chosen as the wrist-spinner alongside allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. For wicketkeeping duties, Ishan Kishan has been chosen as the second option after KL Rahul. Sanju Samson, on the other hand, has been named as a reserve player for the upcoming series in Sri Lanka. The Asia Cup squad comprises: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Prasidh Krishna.
