Team India’s next bigger assignment will be Asia Cup 2023. The tournament shall be played between August 31 and September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka being the joint of the tournament. The continental event holds massive levels of significance for India in terms of its preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.
The tournament schedule is designed in such a way that India will play Pakistan at least twice in the tournament. India will be keen to field their best eleven men for this contest.
Some positions have already been claimed in the Playing 11 such as by captain Rohit Sharma, an all-rounder’s slot by Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, and two slots in the middle-order by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. A few spots like wicket-keeper and spinner spot are up for grabs in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023.
1. Openers – Rohit Sharma (C) And Shubman Gill
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in One Day International has exceptional performer over the years, as the format is considered the strength of the Indian skipper in cricket. There’s often a criticism to his name that he doesn’t perform in big games as the Indian captain would be looking to lead the team from the front with the bat. The 36-year-old would try to score some big runs to make a big statement ahead of ODI World Cup.
Shubman Gill has been in terrific form, since the start of 2023, as he smashed two hundred and a double hundred in ODI Cricket and the youngster has been performing consistently well for the Indian team in all three formats of the game is likely to make his Asia Cup debut in Sri Lanka. The 23-year-old will be a crucial player for India’s chances in the tournament, as they will look to win the Asia Cup after winning the event in 2018 in Dubai.
2. Middle Order – Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, And Sanju Samson (WK)
Virat Kohli is a consistent batter for India across the three formats of the game, his domination in ODI Cricket has been of a different level altogether, especially in chasing targets. Kohli has returned to his usual best since his comeback to form in Asia Cup 2022 as he smashed three ODI hundreds in 2023 and would continue his form in ODI Cricket ahead of the important Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
Shreyas Iyer has been one of the most improved cricketers in this format of the game being the best middle-order Indian batter in 2022 in International Cricket and the Mumbai batter is expected to gain his full fitness ahead of the Asia Cup 2023, as he looks to seal his place in the playing 11 for the ODI World Cup in India.
With Rishabh Pant being ruled of ODI World Cup and KL Rahul uncertain to return for the continental event, Sanju Samson has scored 330 runs in 11 ODIs so far at an impressive batting average of 66. He is expected to take up the role of finisher for the Indian team in the Asia Cup.
3. All-Rounders – Hardik Pandya And Ravindra Jadeja
Hardik Pandya will be straight away into the playing 11 as they provide the balance in the side in two departments the Gujarat Titans skipper can take up the role of the third pacer in the team. The all-rounder seems to be in the form of his life, also contributing invaluably in ODIs with bat and ball.
Ravindra Jadeja can be crucial in the middle order for India being the lone left-handed batter, as he can walk into the team in different situations. He truly adds value to the side with the bat in the lower order and the CSK all-rounder can be handy with the ball for the Men in Blue in Asia Cup 2023.
Indian team have performed well in ODIs as they provided perfect balance in the team, as they can chip in with both bat and ball in crucial junctures to seal some important games for the team and they will be crucial for India’s chance in marquee events, later this year.
5. Spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal And Kuldeep Yadav
Indian bowling duo Yuzvendra Chahal is constantly among the wickets and has added more variations to his arsenal, making him more lethal. The Indian spinner has been in fine form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, where he surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker in the cash-rich league.
Kuldeep Yadav can be another spinner in the team, as he has shown the ability to pick up wickets consistently in the middle overs, has provided a different dimension to India’s bowling, as the games could be played on slow wickets, which may assist spinner in the middle.
With a lot of cricket to be played in Sub-continental conditions for the next six months, Rohit Sharma-led side will demand at least three spinners in the playing XI, as these two players can bowl in tandem to make it difficult for the opponents in the middle over.
6. Fast Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to make a comeback during the Asia Cup 2023 and will be leading the pace attack going into the ODI World Cup later this year, as he could play a pivotal role for the Indian team bowling with the new ball and old ball. He will be desperate to chip in with a big performance in the coming opportunities as he will possibly lock horns against them twice.
Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj will be crucial for India’s chances going into the Asia Cup and World Cup, they would be a toss between him and Mohammad Shami if the surface has more to the spinners, or else the Gujarat Titans pacer would take the role third seamer if they pitch is favourable for the fast bowlers. Both the bowlers had a successful season in the Indian Premier League and will look to continue their form going into white-ball cricket.
