India's World Cup squad could be named on August 21, Asia Cup likely to have bigger team - Report

On August 21, the much-anticipated Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 is expected to be announced. The team that will represent India in the multi-nation event will be picked following a meeting in the national capital on Monday.

According to a PTI report, a meeting will be conducted in Delhi with national selectors, head coach Rahul Dravid, and captain Rohit Sharma.

It will be an uncommon occurrence for the head coach to attend a selection meeting, which did not occur while the previous two coaches, Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble, were in charge. According to the source, the selection committee will also release the first 15-man World Cup team.

Meanwhile, a larger group for the Asia Cup is expected to be selected. There is a provision for 17 players for the Asia Cup, which is two more than the World Cup squad maximum.

"There is a possibility of picking the provisional 15-member squad for the World Cup, which needs to be submitted by September 5, but one could make changes as the deadline for the final squad is September 27," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity. "A couple of more players could be selected for the Asia Cup," it added.

Jasprit Bumrah is poised to compete with Hardik Pandya for the vice-captaincy.

According to the report, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will compete with all-rounder and current ODI vice-captain for the role of Rohit Sharma's deputy in the ODI World Cup and Asia Cup.

According to a BCCI source, Bumrah is more senior in terms of leadership, which is why he is heading the squad in the Ireland series.

"In terms of leadership seniority, Bumrah has an advantage over Pandya because he captained the Test team in 2022." He was also the ODI vice-captain before Pandya during the South African ODI trip," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.

The insider went on to say that Bumrah should not be surprised to be Rohit's deputy in the Asia Cup and World Cup. "Don't be surprised if Bumrah is named Rohit's ODI deputy for both the Asia Cup and the World Cup." There is a reason he was given the captaincy over Ruturaj in Ireland," it said.