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BCCI announced a 15-member squad for the 19th edition of the Asian Games. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Maharashtra opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was made the captain of this young team. In case you are not aware, the BCCI had earlier confirmed that they will be sending a ‘B’ team to the Asian Games as the main team will be busy preparing for the World Cup starting October 5 at home. Cricket in Asian Games will be in T20 format from 28 September to 8 October.
Read this also | From Yashasvi Jaiswal to Rinku Singh, 7 promising IPL players from India set to make T20I debut at Asian Games 2023; in pictures
One of the key features of the team is the presence of 7 IPL stars who are likely to make their T20I debuts in the Asian Games, which is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China. The names are Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed and Tilak Verma.
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Arshdeep Singh is also in the squad as the opening bowler. The rest of the bowling contingent includes Mukesh, Avesh Khan, Shivam Mavi, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi.
After the announcement of the name of this team, one thing has become clear that none of this team will play in the ICC Cricket World Cup. It has also cleared the way for five cricketers who are not part of the current West Indies ODI squad but can still make it to the World Cup squad.
______ ________…a part of now #meninblue, ,
Also, congrats to Venkatesh Iyer on the standby list! ,#Asian Games , #rinkusingh , #VenkateshIyer pic.twitter.com/l519h8NznW
– Kolkata Knight Riders (@KKRiders) 14 July 2023
Who are the cricketers who can benefit from not being selected in the Asian Games squad?
1. R Ashwin
There is no chance of making it to the World Cup squad as of now but the selectors have kept their options open by not naming Ashwin in the Asian Games squad. Ashwin has not played ODI cricket for a long time. His chances of a comeback are slim but there must be a reason why he has been overlooked for the Asian Games, knowing that he is a strong T20 bowler.
2. Varun Chakraborty
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has also been overlooked for selection for the Asian Games. While there is already a huge battle going on between two quality wrist spinners for a spot in Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, the selectors will want to keep a close eye on Varun’s progress.
3. Vijay Shankar
In case of injury to Hardik Pandya, batting all-rounder Vijay Shankar can be an option for India. Shankar may not be of the same quality as Hardik in international cricket yet, but at the moment he is the best option in the country to replace him in that XI.
4. Umran Malik
The fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir and Sunrisers Hyderabad has not been included in the Asian Games squad. The selectors are keeping a close eye on Jasprit Bumrah. He will be fit by the time the AIA Cup starts. However, the selectors would like a fast bowler with immense pace who can bowl game-changers and partnership-breakers in the middle overs as well as death overs. Umran may lack experience but he is certainly an X-factor cricketer.
5. Akshar Patel
The left-arm orthodox spinner from India should be the replacement option for Ravindra Jadeja in the team. It will be interesting to see if Akshar finds a place in the first 15 players selected for the World Cup. But one thing is certain that the selectors would like to keep him injury-free and fresh for the World Cup. This is the reason why Akshar is not going to China to play the Asian Games.
