'As of now, we haven't confirmed any names' - BCCI on Asia XI squad

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently announced the Asia XI and World XI squads for the two T20Is to be played next month. The board has organised a special series to celebrate the birth centenary of country’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cleared that they haven’t sent any names yet for the T20I series.

Earlier this week, the BCB named the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami among a few other India players in the 15-man Asia XI squad. It was also mentioned that the Indian captain’s availability is not yet confirmed while Rahul will play only a solitary game.

However, if the recent developments are considered, it seems not all the top Indian players will travel to Bangladesh for the two T20Is to be played on March 21 and 22.

We have not confirmed any names, says BCCI source

Team India is currently in New Zealand and will only return home after March 4 when the second Test, along with the gruelling tour, is supposed to end. Soon after coming back to India, the Virat Kohli-led side will feature in the three-match ODI series against South Africa (from March 12 to 18) and then they have a 10-day gap before IPL commences on March 29.

The BCCI has decided to assess the fitness levels and workload of the players. All the centrally contracted cricketers will undergo mandatory medical tests including the workload monitoring assessments before the first ODI against South Africa. The BCCI source has also confirmed that they haven’t confirmed any names as of now.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sent a wish list of 10 names and we are supposed to send five players. As of now, we have not confirmed any names. All the players including the skipper will undergo tests to check their level of workload. Only then we will give the names,” the senior BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

The Indian skipper Virat Kohli has time and again spoke openly about the crunched schedules and when the head coach Ravi Shastri was asked about his players going to Bangladesh for the special series, he felt it is purely an individual’s call. “I think that’s up to the individual. If he is feeling the strain, he will let the authorities know,” he said.

Moreover, a lot will depend on Virat Kohli’s consent on whether he is willing to play in Bangladesh soon after the South Africa series during which India will travel to Dharamsala, Lucknow and Kolkata over the course of seven days. “It will now depend whether Kohli gives his consent or not. Don’t forget that the IPL will involve extensive travelling and once it’s over, there are a number of overseas T20 series lined up,” another official said.