Rahul, Iyer return to India squad for Asia Cup

Long-term injury absentees KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have returned to the team India squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. The two batters join Mumbai Indians youngster Tilak Varma in the 17-man squad selected by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar on Monday.

Shreyas Iyer completed a full recovery after sustaining a back injury that forced him to miss the entire season of IPL 2023 and India’s tour to the West Indies. KL Rahul, meanwhile, injured his thigh while captaining the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and is expected to be available for selection by the second or third game of the Asia Cup.

Other players returning to India’s ODI setup following long-term absences are fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna. Both pacers made their comeback to international cricket in the three-match T20I series against Ireland, and after recovering from respective back surgeries, will be using the Asia Cup to ramp up their fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Accompanying Krishna and Bumrah in the pace department of the squad are Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami, who returns to the side after being rested for the entire tour of the West Indies. Amongst the spinners, Kuldeep Yadav has made his way into the squad following his strong performances in the ODI format over the last 18 months. All-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are also included in the 17-man list, leaving Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin on the sidelines.

In the batting department, Ishan Kishan has been chosen as the deputy opener and wicket-keeper in the squad, forcing Sanju Samson to be on the standby list as a reserve player. Suryakumar Yadav has also retained his spot in the India set-up despite his mixed performances in the 50-over format, while Tilak Varma has been handed a surprise call-up to the ODI side.

The southpaw is yet to play a 50-over international game, but his impressive showing in the West Indies T20I series has fast-tracked him to the regular side, with India looking to find a left-handed option at the top of the order.

The Men in Blue kickstart their 2023 Asia Cup campaign on September 2^nd against Pakistan in Pallekele before facing Nepal on September 4^th.

Full Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna