KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer Included in India’s Asia Cup Squad; Sanju Samson Named Reserve Player

The chairman of selectors for India, Ajit Agarkar, revealed the 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup on Monday. He confirmed that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have secured spots in the squad after recovering from their respective thigh and back injuries.

In addition to Rahul and Iyer, the squad features left-handed batsman Tilak Varma, who is yet to make his ODI debut. Seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, who recently returned to international cricket after recovering from back surgeries during the ongoing T20I series in Ireland, have also been selected.

After resting during the entire West Indies tour, Mohammed Shami makes his return to the squad. The pace attack is completed by Mohammed Siraj and all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur.

Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been omitted from the squad, with Kuldeep Yadav chosen as the wrist-spinner alongside all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

In terms of wicketkeepers, Ishan Kishan has been preferred over Sanju Samson as the second choice after KL Rahul. However, Sanju Samson will accompany the team to Sri Lanka as the designated reserve player.

The Asia Cup squad for India comprises: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna.

Sanju Samson has been designated as the reserve player for the squad.