The Pakistan cricket team has already announced its squad for the Asia Cup, and now all eyes are on India. The Indian team’s selection for the Asia Cup is expected on August 19, with the selectors meeting in Mumbai. While the specifics of the meeting and the final player selections remain undisclosed, reports suggest that Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj are unlikely to be included in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup.
Both Gill and Siraj were standout performers during India’s recent England tour. Gill scored the most runs, 750, in the 5-Test series, while Siraj took the most wickets, 23. However, the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format with a white ball, not the red ball used in Test matches. Despite Gill’s impressive IPL performances, the selectors are reportedly hesitant to disrupt the existing opening partnership of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. According to reports, these factors contribute to Gill and Siraj’s possible exclusion from the Asia Cup squad.
There’s also the question of a third opener. Reports suggest that Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender for that role. Much depends on the preferences of the team’s head coach. If the coach prioritizes Gill, then the Test captain may be included in the team.
Further down the batting order, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rinku Singh are expected to be selected. Jitesh Sharma could be chosen as the second wicketkeeper. Shreyas Iyer, who has passed his fitness test, may also be considered as an extra batsman. However, if the Indian team’s focus is on a player who can also bowl, Iyer might be excluded, potentially favoring Washington Sundar or Shivam Dube.
Hardik Pandya is likely to be selected, providing both batting and bowling strength. Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the Asia Cup is also confirmed. Bumrah is expected to lead a pace attack that could include Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. It’s possible that only one of Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana will be selected. There is less expectation for the inclusion of Mohammed Shami in the pace attack.
In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ravi Bishnoi are reportedly expected to be selected. T20 team vice-captain Axar Patel is another option. Washington Sundar, if selected, could also contribute with his spin. Sundar was part of India’s last T20 match in February, but his selection for the Asia Cup is not guaranteed.