Asia Cup 2018: India’s Probable 15-Man Squad For the Tournament

Sep 20, 2018 at 4:18 PM

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Asia Cup 2018: India’s Probable 15-Man Squad For the Tournament

The reigning champions India will aim to defend their Asia Cup 2018 title when the tournament will kick-start from 15 September 2018. India had beaten Bangladesh in the final of the previous edition which was played in a T20 format. However, this year competition will be played in conventional 50-overs form. In fact, India is the most successful side in the Asia Cup, having won the competition six times. Meanwhile, Sportzwiki brings the list of 15 players who could be part of the Indian squad in the Asia Cup.

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In fact, India will not have much time to gear up for Asia’s supremacy. India’s fifth and final Test match against England will get over on 11 September. Therefore, Virat Kohli and his men will not have much time to get ready for the Asia Cup.

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
India team celebrates a wicket. Photo by Deepak Malik / BCCI / SPORTZPICS.

India will look to defend its title.

Meanwhile, it would be interesting to note that who makes to India’s squad for Asia Cup 2018. The young players have shown good promise and thus the selectors can definitely turn their head towards them. The likes of Mayank Agarwal and Rishabh Pant have made a strong case to be in the Indian team. Thus, the youngsters will also be in contention for Indian squad for Asia Cup 2018.

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India’s wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have been instrumental in the success of the team. Therefore, the duo would aim to provide another good performance in the spin-friendly conditions of the UAE.

Meanwhile, India will also like to find answers to their batting woes. The number four batting position is under the scrutiny and the team management should put an end to the musical chair game. The Indian think-tank must show more faith in one player and try to back him.

Furthermore, the top three batsmen, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have done the bulk of the scoring. Thus, it is imperative that other batsmen also chips in their contribution. The middle order has been India’s Achilles Heel and defending champions will like to get more from their batsmen. Thus, the selectors will look to find answers in India’s Asia Cup squad.

Meanwhile, the tournament will be held in UAE, thus the spinners will come into action which will give a good chance for Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Furthermore, India’s arch-rivals Pakistan is in the same group as India. Therefore, the biggest nemesis in the cricket world will lock horns on 19 September, yes you must mark the date.

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India had lost the ODI series against England and would like to make a stronger comeback in the Asia Cup 2018. Meanwhile, India who is currently ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings will be the best-ranked team in the tournament.

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan constitute Group B of the Asia Cup 2018 whereas India, Pakistan and the qualifying team will make the Group A.

Here is Indian 15-man squad (Probable) for the Asia Cup 2018.

Openers

Dhawan and Rohit will aim to give a good platform.

Shikhar Dhawan

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
(Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo)

Shikhar Dhawan wasn’t in the best of form in England limited overs series. However, the southpaw batsman will like to bounce back in the Asia Cup 2018.

The left-hander has performed brilliantly in the mega events. Therefore, the Indian opener will like to repeat his performance in the tournament.

Dhawan can give a good platform to the Indian team. Furthermore, the experienced batsman can provide a quick start which can put the opposition on the backfoot.

Rohit Sharma

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
(Image Source: Twitter)

Rohit Sharma is the most fluent batsman if he gets going. The Indian limited overs deputy will look to make the most of his vast experience. The right-hander can be devastating if he gets into his groove.

In fact, there is no doubt that the Indian opener is the most improved player in the last five years. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma can swiftly change gears after getting to the 50-run mark.

Therefore, Rohit Sharma is a certain in the Indian 15-man squad for the Asia Cup 2018. The right-hander will like to hit the ground running with his performances.

Middle order batsmen.

The onus will be again on Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli  (c)

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Virat Kohli will lead India in Asia Cup 2018. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Virat Kohli is not only the most consistent Indian batsman but also the best in the world. Therefore, the onus would be once again on the Indian skipper to provide solidarity in the India batting line-up in Asia Cup 2018.

Furthermore, Kohli will also look to lead from the front. The Indian captain has savoured great success in the recent past and would like to repeat his performances as a leader of the side.

Meanwhile, Kohli will also like to find the right combination in the middle order. India’s batting has struggled to get going and Kohli will definitely want more from his batters.

The number four conundrum.

Lokesh Rahul

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
KL Rahul celebrates. (photo by Alan Martin/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Lokesh Rahul had scored a fine hundred in the first T20I against England. However, the flamboyant Indian batsman isn’t given longer rope in the white ball version. Rahul looks technically correct and he must find his place in the final XI of the Indian side.

Therefore, the Karnataka batsman can be the answer to India’s batting woes. However, the right-hander should be given ample opportunities to prove his mettle in the side. Rahul has the skills to come good and he needs to execute them to cement his place in the limited overs set-up.

Rahul should get his chances in India’s Asia Cup squad.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Shreyas Iyer. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Shreyas Iyer has shown the promise to be India’s future. Iyer has performed consistently for the India A side and would be in the reckoning. Therefore, Iyer will like to make the most of his chance in the middle order.

The Mumbai batsman has shown that he has a good technique and could be the man to look out for. Iyer will like to make the most of his opportunity.

Furthermore, the Indian team management will like to invest in the young generation. Therefore, Iyer should make the cut into India’s Asia Cup squad.

Dinesh Karthik

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Dinesh Karthik. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Dinesh Karthik has been in good form in the recent past. However, the Tamil Nadu batsman hasn’t been given consistent chances in the middle order.

Karthik will like to grab his opportunities and he will need to win the selector’s trust. The wicketkeeper-batsman has shown the promise and he can be the answer to India’s number four woes.

Meanwhile, the right-hander has a good technique and would like to hit the ground running with his performances in the Asia Cup 2018.

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina, Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Suresh Raina. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Suresh Raina could not make much impact in the One Day International series against England. However, the southpaw batsman also has the experience under his belt.

Furthermore, Suresh Raina can chip in with a couple of overs in the middle stages. As no other Indian top batsmen have the ability to bowl some overs, it gives an advantage to Suresh Raina when the playing XI is decided.  Raina can bowl his part-time off-spinners in case one of the bowlers has an off-day at the office.

Moreover, Suresh Raina is a live wire on the field which helps India in saving some runs in the field. Suresh Raina can also hit the ground running from the get-go and provide quick runs while batting in the middle order.

Wicketkeeper

Dhoni batting form declining?

MS Dhoni 

MS Dhoni, Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
MS Dhoni. Image Courtesy: Getty

MS Dhoni didn’t have the best of England tour. However, the former Indian skipper didn’t receive much support from the other end.

Dhoni had failed to rotate the strike, especially against the spinners. Therefore, the combative batsman will like to keep the scoreboard moving.

Dhoni is doing a fine job behind the stumps and there have never been any doubts over his wicketkeeping skills. Therefore, Dhoni will like to make a stronger comeback into the 50-overs format.

All-rounders

Pandya needs to contribute more with the ball.

Hardik Pandya

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Hardik Pandya has shown the potential to be a good all-rounder, especially in the limited overs format. However, Pandya will like to work more on his bowling.

Pandya will need to provide ten overs consistently to Virat Kohli. Subsequently, India will be able to find the right balance.

Furthermore, Hardik Pandya can get his runs at a brisk pace. Therefore, he can play his role in finishing off the innings on a high note. Moreover, the all-rounder is a live wire on the field.

Axar Patel

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Axar Patel. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Axar Patel hasn’t got many chances in the recent past in the Indian team. However, Axar Patel can be a handy all-rounder if he receives his opportunities.

Patel generally bowls wicket to wicket and doesn’t let the batsmen off the hook. Furthermore, the Gujarat based player is a good fielder.

Moreover, the southpaw all-rounder can contribute with the bat while batting in the lower order in the Asia Cup 2018. Therefore, Axar Patel must break into India’s Asia Cup squad.

Fast Bowlers

India will get back services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar,Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Photo Credit: BCCI.

India has dearly missed the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the recent past. He has suffered from back issues in England and could not participate in the most of the tour.

However, India will want their pack leader to be fit and firing at all cylinders. Kumar has the ability to move the ball both ways and thus he is going to play a key role.

Furthermore, Bhunveshwar Kumar has the ability to chip in the batting department as he can get handy runs.

Jasprit Bumrah

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Getty Images

Jasprit Bumrah could not make it to the Indian team as he suffered from the thumb injury in the first T20I against Ireland. Thus, Bumrah had to miss both the limited overs series against England.

Bumrah is deadly accurate with his yorkers and gives little time to the batsmen with his skidding pace. Furthermore, Bumrah is doing a fine job with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at both ends of an innings.

Therefore, India will like to get back the services of their talisman bowler for the Asia Cup 2018.

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Shardul Thakur has shown good promise in the Indian team. The Mumbai fast bowler has the ability to produce good pace. However, Thakur must also find the right combination of line and length.

The fast bowler has failed to hit the right areas and he has proved to be on the expensive side. Therefore, Shardul Thakur will aim to improve his accuracy and learn from the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

Thus, Shardul Thakur should make the cut into India’s Asia Cup squad.

Spinners

The spin battery has been instrumental in India’s success.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t have the best of England tours as his wickets column was generally empty. However, the leg-spinner has done a good job in both white ball versions of the game in the recent times.

Chahal will look to hit the right lengths as the leg-spinner is growing in confidence. The leggie has been instrumental in the success of the team and would like to repeat the same in the Asia Cup 2018.

Kuldeep Yadav

Asia Cup 2018, India's Asia Cup squad.
Kuldeep Yadav. Image Courtesy Getty

Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav always brings the X-factor to the table. The mystery chinaman bowler has hunted in tandem with his spin bowling partner Yuzvendra Chahal. Consequently, both the spinners have got wickets in the middle stages.

Thus, they have not the let the batsmen off the hook as dual have kept a tight grip in the proceedings. Both Chahal and Kuldeep will like to produce good performances in the upcoming Asia Cup 2018.

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