BCCI announced the Team India squad for Asia Cup 2022. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 to be played from 27th August to 11th September 2022. The 15th edition of the tournament will be played in the UAE between six teams (main event). Defending champions India are also the most successful team, having won the trophy seven times. While the last edition of the tournament was held in an ODI format, this edition will feature the T20 format.
The six teams are divided into two groups with India, Pakistan and a qualifying team in Group A and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan forming Group B. Each team plays the other once in the group stage with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 4 round. The top 2 teams from Super 4 will qualify for the final.
India's squad for the 2022 Asia Cup 💪
Will they lead 🇮🇳 to glory? 🤔
More 👉 https://t.co/RE0IcdIypr pic.twitter.com/HVas87X4YJ
— ICC (@ICC) August 8, 2022
The squad marks the return of many big guns to the Indian setup, after the rotation that was witnessed during the tour of West Indies and the upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe. India will get their Asia Cup campaign underway against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The tournament will be of vital importance for Rohit Sharma and Co, as they will amp up the preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, with a near full-strength side. The selections give a clear indication of the Indian strategy for the showpiece event Down Under, with the squad for the tournament likely to closely resemble the one picked for the Asia Cup, with the addition of the injured Jasprit Bumrah and barring any last-minute injuries.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul makes their comeback in the team. It will be a major opportunity for both of them to spend some invaluable time in the middle. There have been a lot of discussions around Kohli’s recent form, with many questioning his place in the Indian T20I setup. A good performance in the Asia Cup will put this discourse to rest. Kohli has also been short of match practice in the T20I format, with sporadic appearances since the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The squad also marks the return of KL Rahul, who has been out of action since the IPL. The opener underwent a sports hernia surgery and was set to return during the T20I series against West Indies. But a positive COVID-19 test further delayed his return. It will provide a golden opportunity for two of India’s batting stalwarts to regain their groove. Here is the schedule of Asia Cup:
Cricketing fans! Get ready to witness Asia's best, battling it out to become Asia's best!🔥👊 Here's how this year's Men's Asia Cup is lined up. Mark your calendars📆 Tell us in the comments, which team are you supporting?#ACC #cricketlove #cricket #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/DYTBjXnFke
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) August 2, 2022
In the injury absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and T20I specialist Harshal Patel, India have decided to head into the Asia Cup with only three frontline pacers. Veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be backed by youngsters Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan in the pace unit. Kumar has regained his mojo in the recent T20I series, swinging the ball up front while also bowling some crucial overs at the death. Arshdeep has impressed one and all with his temperament, as well as his abilities to bowl yorkers at will during the final overs. Khan’s performances have been inconsistent, but Indian team management clearly trust his abilities to act as the enforcer of the pace attack. The trio will be backed by all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has recently proved his fitness and has been bowling at full tilt.
With only three frontline pacers in the squad, India have opted to rely heavily on their spinners during the tournament. There is a nice variety of tweakers in the squad, with leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi backed by wily veteran Ravichandran Ashwin and left-armer Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja and Ashwin will also add act as all-rounders, with both being more than handy with the bat down the order. With four spinners in the squad, Indian team management clearly believe pitches in UAE will assist the spinners, and skipper Rohit Sharma will heavily lean on them to act as both attacking, as well as containing options.
The selections also give a clear picture of the hierarchy in the Indian spin department, with all-rounder Axar Patel, as well as left-armer Kuldeep Yadav seemingly behind in the pecking order. Axar, could only find a place in the reserves despite his impressive performance both with the bat and that ball in recent times, with India backing the experience of Jadeja over him.
Despite the return of some big names, the Indian squad for the Asia Cup also features some exciting youngsters. For the likes of Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Deepak Hooda, the tournament will be a chance to prove their mettle on the big stage and book their tickets for the flight to Australia. All four youngsters have made an impact in the shortest format, after making their debuts post the debacle at the 2021 T20 World Cup. A good Asia Cup and many of these youngsters could well be pencilled in selections for the World Cup in Australia.
🇮🇳 Squad named 📝
More on India's group on the quest for Asia Cup supremacy 👊https://t.co/YJzR44zJIV
— ICC (@ICC) August 9, 2022
India’s squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan
Standby Players: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel and Deepak Chahar
Among the absentees to miss the 15-member cut is Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson who played in the fifth T20I against West Indies. That means, India are likely to have only Rishabh Pant as a left-hander in their top-five with Ravindra Jadeja to follow later in the line-up. The 15 picked gives a clear indicator of the players likely to be on the plane to Australia, with some spots still up for grabs.
It can be considered with reasonable conviction that nine players – skipper Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, are lock-ins in the starting XI, with two spots still open. Rahul and Kohli return after missing most of the action post the last World Cup. In this feature, we will look at how their respective return impacts the XI. The rest of the squad is likely to be comprised of a backup, each in opening, middle order, spin, and seam department respectively.
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: I was expecting the almost same team for the Asia Cup 2022 as it was certain that Virat and Rahul will make their comeback. Batting and allrounders looks balanced and the best we can have but the bowling lineup especially fast bowlers make me bit worried.
India is going with only three frontline bowlers and despite mediocre performance Avesh Khan is still in the team with Pandya is fourth bowler. Mohammed Shami or Deepak Chahar should been included in the place of Avesh as they have much experience and can add the values with their batting as well. Hopes India able to defend the title this team as well.
🚨#TeamIndia squad for Asia Cup 2022 – Rohit Sharma (Capt ), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, R Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, Y Chahal, R Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan.
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 8, 2022
All geared up for the 𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐂𝐔𝐏! ⚔️🏆
Paltan, what are your thoughts on #TeamIndia's squad 💪💙
🚨 BOOM is not available for selection due to injury & is currently undergoing rehab.#OneFamily #AsiaCup @BCCI @ImRo45 @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/SRLbiQ6erM
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 8, 2022
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