New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup on August 19 or 20, once the Centre of Excellence’s Sports Science team provides the medical fitness updates of all players, including skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who has already resumed batting practice in Bengaluru.
According to a PTI report, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is unlikely to make wholesale changes to the current set-up, with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya forming a strong top five. This makes it difficult for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan to find a spot despite their talent.
A BCCI insider told PTI, “Abhishek is the world’s No. 1 T20 batter in the latest ICC rankings. Samson had a fantastic last season with both bat and gloves. But Shubman Gill’s form can’t be ignored, especially after a good IPL. The problem is, there are too many performers at the top order.”
KL Rahul, India’s first-choice ODI wicketkeeper, is also unlikely to feature as he doesn’t bat in the middle order. Samson is expected to take the gloves, with the second wicketkeeper’s slot being contested between Jitesh Sharma, who impressed for RCB in their IPL-winning run, and Dhruv Jurel, who was part of the last T20I series.
In the all-rounders’ department, Hardik Pandya remains the first-choice seam-bowling option, while Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar are likely to be included. Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to miss out due to injury.
The spin department could feature Axar, Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav. In pace bowling, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are certainties, while the third slot is a toss-up between Prasidh Krishna, who took 25 wickets in the last IPL, and Harshit Rana, known for his raw pace.
Likely Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel.
