Asia Cup 2023 Team India Strongest 11 Vs Pakistan: Will KL Rahul Be Wicketkeeper, Jasprit Bumrah Over Mohammad Shami
The 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023 event was unveiled on Monday by Team India captain Rohit Sharma and head of selectors Ajit Agarkar. On September 2, India will kick off their tournament campaign against archrivals Pakistan, captained by Babar Azam, in Kandy.
In excellent news for Indian cricket fans, injured hitters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have received clean chits from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and can return to the Indian team.
With both Rahul and Iyer now available, the strongest Indian playing 11 will have Iyer batting at No. 4, with KL Rahul serving as wicketkeeper and batting at No. 5.
The top three Indian batting order is established, with skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opening and Virat Kohli playing at No. 3. Following Rahul, vice-captain Hardik Pandya will bat at No. 6, followed by two all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur.
Kuldeep Yadav, a Chinaman bowler, will be expected to be the side's specialty spinner and will bat after Shardul Thakur.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will share the pace bowling duties after making an excellent comeback from injury in the three-match T20I series against Ireland. With Bumrah back in the lineup, Mohammad Shami may be pulled out of the roster for the first match against Pakistan.
Skipper Rohit Sharma has asked for 'flexibility' in the Indian batting lineup, stating that Indian hitters should be able to play in any position and under all circumstances. "One thing I want in this team is for everyone to be able to bat anywhere," Rohit Sharma told reporters on Monday.
"That is something we must remember. You need versatile players who can fill in at any position. Nobody should say, "I'm good at this position or that position." The message to every individual is that you want players to be able to bat everywhere. Not just now, but in the last three to four years," he continued.
India Strongest Playing 11 Vs Pakistan In Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah