Asia’s most significant competition, the Asia Cup 2023, is set to begin, featuring top Asian teams in a clash of titans. Scheduled from August 30th to September 17th, the tournament will consist of 13 matches. Pakistan will host 4 of these matches, while Sri Lanka will host the remaining 9. The event presents an excellent opportunity for participating teams to fine-tune their strategies and team dynamics ahead of the World Cup.
When it comes to the Indian squad, there’s been significant speculation surrounding the lineup they will announce for the Asia Cup 2023. This uncertainty arises from the team’s unsettled status, with some crucial players currently sidelined due to injuries. It’s quite likely that the squad selected for the upcoming tournament will also feature in the World Cup.
In addressing these inquiries, the recently appointed BCCI chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, will join forces with captain Rohit Sharma in a press conference scheduled for Monday, August 21st, at 1:30 PM. During this event, the duo will unveil India’s lineup for the Asia Cup 2023 following a prior meeting. This crucial announcement will also involve the participation of head coach Rahul Dravid.
As part of their preparations for the Asia Cup, the Indian squad is set to undergo a dedicated training camp. This training phase will take place at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, where the team will convene.
The camp, scheduled from August 24th to August 29th, will encompass various training sessions aimed at getting the team ready. Following this camp, the Indian team will journey to Sri Lanka for the tournament. Their first match is against longstanding rivals Pakistan on September 2nd in Kandy.
Recent reports have provided updates on the fitness status of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. The wicketkeeper-batsman, Rahul, has fully recovered and is eligible for selection. Meanwhile, Iyer has displayed encouraging progress, although his selection remains uncertain. In a practice match, he batted for 38 overs and fielded for 50 overs.
Should Shreyas Iyer not meet the fitness criteria for the Asia Cup 2023, the BCCI is prioritizing Suryakumar Yadav as a replacement. Furthermore, discussions regarding the potential inclusion of Tilak Varma are also in the works, given India’s need for a left-handed batsman in the middle order.