The Asia Cup squad also includes rookie left-hander Tilak Varma, who hasn’t made his ODI debut yet, and Jasprit Bumrah, who made his international comeback during the ongoing T20I series in Ireland after recovering from back surgery for a stress fracture.
Both batters have spent several weeks undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and took part in match-simulation exercises in the days leading up to their selection. Rahul has not played any competitive cricket since he got injured during IPL 2023, while Shreyas has been out of action since Australia’s tour of India in March.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the 15-man squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup is likely to be named after India’s second Asia Cup game on September 4.
The Asia Cup begins on August 30 with Pakistan hosting Nepal in Multan. India’s first Group A game is against Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2, after which they play Nepal in Pallekele on September 4. Group B comprises Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and the top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage. The sides that finish No. 1 and 2 in the Super Fours will contest the final in Colombo on September 17.
India squad for Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna
Reserve player: Sanju Samson
More to follow…
Source: ESPN Crickinfo