The selection of the team for the upcoming continental event is scheduled for Monday. The inclusion of additional spin options is also being considered. KL Rahul‘s return to the national squad might be delayed as the senior selection committee is likely to exclude him from the Asia Cup due to his ongoing recovery from a thigh surgery.
Similarly, Shreyas Iyer’s return is uncertain as well. The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet to finalize the squad for the continental tournament in Delhi.
Rahul had a recent thigh surgery, and Iyer underwent back surgery. Their fitness reports will be evaluated by the selection committee before a decision is made. Nitin Patel, head of the National Cricket Academy’s sports science and medicine division, will provide updates on their fitness, along with Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently in Ireland. The committee aims to determine if Rahul and Iyer are ready for 50-over games and whether they can handle the intensity of big matches without impacting their post-injury recovery.
It’s understood that the selection committee prefers not to immediately put Rahul and Iyer into high-stakes matches like the Asia Cup without proper preparatory games, considering the risk of re-injury. Iyer’s inclusion will also depend on the Indian team management’s strategy.
As for spin options, the committee intends to diversify the bowling attack beyond the current left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, and leggie Kuldeep Yadav. Off-spinner Washington Sundar is a potential candidate to be chosen for the Asia Cup, possibly replacing Yuzvendra Chahal. The team management aims to maintain a long batting lineup, possibly including more all-rounders.
Jasprit Bumrah, the captain for the Ireland tour, might be appointed as the vice-captain for the Asia Cup. Positive feedback from players and support staff in Ireland influenced this decision.
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