I'll be happy seeing the team sheet when everyone's available: Rohit Sharma

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announced India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad on Monday, August 21. Star batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have made a comeback to the team after completing their rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Seamers Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah, who have made their comeback in the ongoing T20I series against Ireland, have also been included in the 17-member squad.

Meanwhile, while speaking to the reporters after the announcement during the press conference, India captain Rohit Sharma took a jibe at the team’s injury woes. Speaking to the media, Sharma stated that he would be very happy seeing no one injured on the team sheet.

"I'll be happy on the day of the game seeing the team sheet when everyone's available,” said Rohit.

Notably, India have been marred by injuries to their several star players since 2022 which has resulted in their failure to win major trophies. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah missed the 2022 T20 World Cup while Bumrah also missed the World Test Championship final 2023. Furthermore, star batter Rishabh Pant is also undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA after his horrific car crash in December 2022. 

These injuries have become a headache for the team management which has been forced to look for their alternatives during mega events.

Yuzvendra Chahal misses out

Meanwhile, in a shocking move, wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been left out of the team as Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have been picked as the three spinners. Chahal was seen in sensational form in the IPL 2023 where he picked 21 wickets from 14 matches and also became the highest wicket-taker in the history of the league (187 wickets).

Apart from Chahal, 20-year-old Tilak Varma, who recently made his international debut in the T20I series against West Indies, has earned his maiden ODI call-up as well. The Hyderabad-born batter has impressed everyone with his composure batting in the middle order and became a hot topic of discussion in no time.

India’s squad for Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Traveling stand-by player: Sanju Samson

Also see: India Final Squad for Asia Cup 2023