BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and the Indian Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma announced a 17-man squad for Asia Cup 2023 today during a press conference. There are a few surprises in the India Squad, as Yuzvendra Chahal has been dropped, and Sanju Samson is kept in reserves. Team India has decided to persist with Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer has returned after injuries. Prasidh Krishna has also been added to the squad for Asia Cup 2023.
India Squad for Asia Cup 2023
Batters: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
Reserve: Sanju Samson
Also read: Asia Cup 2023: Best Combined Playing 11 of This Year
Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar’s Q&A in Press Conference
On Hardik Pandya being named the vice-captain
Rohit Sharma: “Hardik’s role is very clear (as all-rounder). He will bat, bowl his overs and field. If he keeps doing that team will have a good balance.”
On being favourites for the tournament
Rohit Sharma: “I don’t believe in underdogs and favorites tags. You have to play well to win. All the teams will be here to win and play hard. Playing at home just gives you a little bit of advantage but at the same time so many overseas cricketers play in India now a days.”
On Tilak Varma’s selection
Ajit Agarkar: “We saw some real promise in West Indies. It will give him some exposure. We can pick 17 here in the World Cup, it would be 15.”
On KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s fitness
Ajit Agarkar: Shreyas (Iyer) has been declared match fit. KL (Rahul) has picked up a small niggle that’s why Sanju is with us.
On not selecting Ashwin and Chahal
Ajit Agarkar: “It’s obvious that the world cup squad will be in and around this one (Selected for Asia Cup).”
When will World Cup 2023 squad get announced?
Ajit Agarkar: “We will announce it after September 5.”
Who will bat at number four for India?
Rohit Sharma: “We have guys who can bat at No.4. It’s not one position … There have been challenges, guys who have been put under pressure, unfortunately because of injuries, we have had to try others. We tried Axar at No.4 being a left-hander, go, bat freely.”
On Rahul’s fitnes
Ajit Agarkar: “We are hopeful that KL (Rahul) will be okay by the time we will be playing our first match.”
On Part Time Bowlers
Rohit Sharma: “We can’t create batters who will bowl overnight. Hopefully Sharma and Kohli will roll their arms.”
Ajit Agarkar: “I have convinced both of them to chip in.”
Why no Yuzi Chahal?
Ajit Agarkar: ‘You can’t fit in two wrist spinners and at the moment Kuldeep is ahead of Chahal.’
On off spinners
Rohit Sharma: “We wanted someone who can bat at 8 or 9. Axar has had a good run in white ball with the bat this year. With him there, he gives us depth and then, he is a left-handed batter. We talked about Ashwin and Washi (Sundar) as well. The only way we could have picked an extra spinner was by dropping a seamer. Having said that no doors are closed for anyone. If we feel like we need Chahal, Ashwin or Washi, we’ll try to sqeeze them in.”
On picking only one wrist spinner
Ajit Agarkar: “Dew will play a part but a good bowler is a good bowler, he (Kuldeep Yadav) will find a way. We have picked team on the basis of the best balance we have available.”
Rohit on what he means by flexibility in the order
“I will make you understand! Flexibility is required, doesn’t mean send opener at no. 7. Or send Hardik Pandya as opener. In the last four-five years, Kohli has batted at No.3. The new guys at no. 4, no. 5 players need to be flexible. Even in my career…we all have done that. That’s the flexibility I am talking about. Not making opener down, woh pagalpanti nahi karte!”
About facing Pakistan in the Asia Cup
Rohit Sharma: There are 5 days camp in Bangalore. After a long time we have had the opportunity to get all the players in for some skill-based training. We can rectify our weakness. It’s just not Pakistan; Sri Lanka won the Asia cup last time. Other good teams will challenge us. Not just one team, we have to prepare for all.