BCCI is most likely to Announce the India Squad for Asia Cup 2022 on 8th August as it set for deadline to submit the squads.
Team India Star Batter KL Rahul is set to make his Comeback in the Team. BCCI Sources made it clear that KL Rahul is First Choice for Opener alongside with Skipper Rohit Sharma.
Star Pace Bowler Deepak Chahar is also in line to make his comeback in the Team after his Injury break for almost 6 Months.
From August 27 to September 11, Dubai and Sharjah will host T20 matches in the Asia Cup.
KL Rahul is expected to make a comeback through Zimbabwe ODI series but reportedly he got injured again so BCCI Selectors didn’t take any risk and give him more break.
KL Rahul is hit with COVID 19 also before the T20I series against West Indies.
Rahul is a Star player and one of the best Openers in Cricket Currently.
BCCI is expected to announce 17 Players squad instead of 15 as they may try out all their choices.
Team India’s Asia Cup campaign will start from 28th August Sunday as they play their First Game of the Tournament against Pakistan.
Asia Cup will give a good indication of the team’s makeup before T20 Worldcup.
With the six most recent T20 games, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav served as Rohit Sharma’s opening partners; however, in this lineup, Rahul will reclaim his position at the top of the order.
“KL Rahul doesn’t need to prove anything. He is a class player. Whenever he plays T20, it is always as a specialist opener and that would continue. Surya and Rishabh are set to play as specialist middle-order batters going forward,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
There is also debate regarding to Virat Kohli’s No.3 Position because of his Roller coaster form but BCCI Sources gave a clear indication that there is no harm to Virat Kohli’s Position in the Team. Virat will bat at No.3 for India.
Deepak Hooda will include as backup option. Dinesh Karthik will be chose as Middle Order Batter and Finisher for India.
Ishan Kishan is Back Up Opener/Keeper option and Sanju Samson is a Back Up Middle Order/Keeper option but only one of them is likely to be picked.
Bowling Attack
Deepak Chahar, who will likely make a comeback in the Zimbabwe ODI series. And will likely also be a member of the team travelling to the Asia Cup in the bowling unit.
“Deepak one of India consistent T20 bowlers before he injured. He deserves a fair chance and also we need a like-for-like back-up for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Also now that he is coming back. He would need to play a lot of games to get his rhythm back,” the source added.
According to reports, Harshal Patel has a rib injury. And his participation in the squad would depend on his level of fitness.
Washington Sundar will not be considered for the selection as Ravichandran Ashwin is back in T20I Setup, He will be third Spinner alongside with Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja. Axar Patel also likely to include.
Mohammed Shami has also informed that only Tests and ODIs would considered for him.
BCCI is looking to appoint Hardik Pandya as Permanent Vice Captain for the T20I Team. KL Rahul may lose his position because Hardik done well recently as a Captain.
Asia Cup Squad (In Contention)
Certainties (13): Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(vice-captain), Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Batter (Back-Up): Deepak Hooda/Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson
Pacers (Back-Up): Arshdeep Singh/Deepak Chahar/Harshal Patel.
Spinners (Back-Up): Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi.
