The BCCI selectors want one more match to witness before they make the official announcement of India’s provisional squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. As the Asia Cup commences on August 30, the two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will clash on September 2 for the much-anticipated rivalry.
The air is pulsating with excitement as the much-anticipated ODI World Cup is just a little over a month away from kick-starting in cricket-crazy India. Adding to the hype, the Asia Cup is due to begin on Wednesday, August 30, acting as a prelude for the major event. In this six-team event, arch-rivals India and Pakistan have found themselves positioned in Group A, preparing to fight on September 2 in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
According to a report from India Today, the forthcoming encounter will hold a special significance since it would be the penultimate chance for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors to watch before unveiling India’s provisional roster for the ODI World Cup on September 3. There’s a window for alterations in this squad until September 28, roughly a week before the commencement of the main event.
It’s worth noting that after the Asia Cup, India is set to compete in a three-match ODI series against Australia, culminating on September 27. This suggests that the selectors have the advantage of assessing performances in this series as well before making their ultimate pick for the 15-member roster. The selectors might even want to retain a few players on standby, given that players like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are making a comeback during the Asia Cup after recuperating from injuries.
KL Rahul is experiencing a fresh minor ailment, and the Indian team’s medical staff is closely monitoring his fitness position. As a precaution, Sanju Samson will be joining the Indian team in Sri Lanka as a reserve player. This structure ensures that Samson can effortlessly step in if Rahul doesn’t recover in time.
Rahul’s performance for India at No. 5 in ODI cricket has been exceptional. He has played 18 innings, scoring an amazing 742 runs with an average of 53 and a strike rate of 99.33. Looking back, when India clinched the last 50-over World Cup title, Yuvraj Singh’s remarkable display in the No. 5 position was a highlight, and he even received the Player of the Series award. The Indian side, led by Rohit Sharma, is confident that Rahul can duplicate Yuvraj’s efficiency in the middle order. However, the focus right now is on Rahul’s fitness challenge.
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