BCCI has announced the squad of 15 players with three in reserves for the upcoming main event Asia Cup 2022 to be held in UAE from 27th August to 11th September. Team India holds a good record in the Asia Cup since 1984.
Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2022:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice Captain), Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi.
Reserves: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar.
It can be assumed with reasonable confidence that eight players are locked-in in the starting XI- Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal.
The opening pair is undoubtedly the skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. There is one spot left in the top 6 and two spots left in the bowling end where Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi are likely to claim the spots as Avesh Khan is so expensive in the middle and death overs. Nevertheless, team management might like to stick with him in place of Bishnoi as well.
What would the India team’s middle order look like:
Virat Kohli hasn’t scored high in recent times but he certainly looked in great touch. He should start at 3 in UAE.
Suryakumar Yadav has made a strong knock on the international stage and since he is wearing the blue jersey, he has never stopped. Suryakumar has taken only 23 innings to reach number 2 in the ICC T20I rankings. He’s definitely there at No. 4.
Deepak Hooda has also shown the intent and his abilities to wrap the game single-handedly in the recent past, but he may miss the playing XI at Asia Cup.
There is a toss-up between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik for wicket-keeper batsman. Pant is a ruthless spin-hitter and a left-handed middle-order batter but still waiting for a considerable T-20I inning. His T-20 stats at the international level till now are not so delightful.
| Bowling type | Dismissals | Average | Strike rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| VS pace | 25 | 24.08 | 134.37 |
| Vs spin | 38 | 23.41 | 111.95 |
Now, Dinesh Karthik after his return to international cricket has somehow not been able to replicate his IPL 2022 form. His role in this team is highly censorial and vulnerable. We have all seen his finishing ability which is commendable. But he plays the kind of character that sometimes goes against the thinking.
But, what Rishabh Pant brings to the table, none other does. This left-handed destructive middle-order batter may lead the race with Dinesh Karthik.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have a solid hold at no. 6 and no. 7 respectively
The best heads to fit and strengthen the Indian middle order are likely as follows:
Virat Kohli at 3, Surya Kumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant at 4 and 5 respectively or vice versa, Hardik Pandya at 6, and Jadeja at 7, which gives a strong and longer batting line-up to the Indian site.
Also read ASIA CUP 2022 India vs Pakistan: 14 Times In The Asia Cup Since 1984, Details.
For the full schedule, read: Asia Cup 2022: Schedule, squads, teams, matches, format, live telecast and all you need to know