"Don't Pick Him If...": India Great's Swipe At Selectors For KL Rahul's Asia Cup Inclusion

24.08.2023 - 11:45 sports.ndtv.com

The most-awaited squad for the upcoming Asia Cup was announced on Monday with Rohit Sharma leading the pack, along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya appointed as the vice-captain.

The series will also be special it will mark the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who were out due to their respective injuries.

However, during the announcement of the squad, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that the 31-year-old batter has picked up another niggle and is unlikely to play the first match against Pakistan on September 2.

Former India opener Kris Srikkanth lashed out at the selectors for naming Rahul in Team India's squad for the Asia Cup, despite the wicketkeeper-batter having a niggle. "It's being said that KL Rahul has a niggle.

cricket India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team Asia Cup 2023 inclusion cup Asia Cup Shreyas Iyer Kl Rahul India Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. The Board made a bold call in giving wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul the nod despite the fact that he didn't feature in the first two matches of Asia Cup 2023 due to injury. Tilak Varma, who was selected in India's 17-member team for the Asia Cup, didn't find a place in the 15-man World Cup squad while Sanju Samson was left out too. Prasidh Krishna, who made his return to the ODI side after a long injury layoff, wasn't picked by the selectors either but ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah was roped in.

India's Predicted XI vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: With Jasprit Bumrah And Shreyas Iyer Back, This Could Be India's Team

India will be taking on Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2023 camaign opener on Saturday. This will be the first time that the two sides will be facing each other since their meeting in T20 World Cup last year. For the first time in several months, the Rohit Sharma-led side is having a full-strength team. The Indian team finished a camp on the outskirts of Bengaluru in Alur to prepare themselves ahead of the match against Pakistan. On the other hand, the Babar Azam-led side routed Nepal by 238 runs in the opening game of the continental event.

India Or Pakistan? Ravi Shastri Picks 'Favourite' To Win Asia Cup 2023 Clash

Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri believes that the Rohit Sharma-led side will emerge victorious over Pakistan in their much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 match on Saturday. Cricket fans around the world are eagerly waiting for this contest and Shastri believes that India have a slight edge over Babar Azam and Co. This contest also holds special importance as the Cricket World Cup will take place later this year and a win in Asia Cup can boost the confidence for both these teams.

India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: Milestones To Watch Out For Ahead Of India's Campaign Opener

India will kickstart their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday and though Men in Blue's first and foremost priority will be the trophy, there are some personal milestones worth watching out for as well. Players could be involved in upto six matches if they reach the final. That gives them plenty of game time to reach some personal milestones and boost their statistics.

India vs Pakistan: Rohit Sharma And Co Hugely Ahead In This Aspect Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023 - Stats Reveal

The Indian cricket team has a long legacy of producing quality spinners over the years and in the recent past, the spin attack has played a massive role in their success on the global stage. Ahead of their Asia Cup 2023 opener against Pakistan on September 2, questions remain over the composition of the spin attack that skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid may opt for but one thing is clear - the spinners will have a major role to play. The importance of the Indian spinners is extremely apparent when they are compared to their Pakistan counterparts since 2022. While Pakistan spinners have taken 57 ODI wickets in this period, India's spin attack have contributed massively with 100 dismissals.

"We Are Talking About India-Pakistan...": Sunil Gavaskar's Big Asia Cup 2023 Warning

Legendary Indian cricket team opener Sunil Gavaskar believes that although there is a lot of buzz surrounding India and Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, it will be unwise to not consider Sri Lanka in the conversation. The tournament will start on August 30 as Pakistan take on Nepal but all eyes are on the match on September 2 with India and Pakistan coming face to face. In a recent interaction, Gavaskar reminded that Sri Lanka have won the tournament and they should be a part of the conversation as well.