The countdown to Asia Cup 2023 has well and truly begun. The Indian Men’s Cricket team will begin their campaign against Pakistan on September 2 (Saturday). Ahead of that, Team India announced a 17-member squad for the continental tournament. Notably, the tournament is significant because of the ODI World Cup 2023 that will be played after the Asia Cup in not too different conditions in India. Rohit Sharma & Co. will play all their Asia Cup games in Sri Lanka while matches of the event will also be played in Pakistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 thus is being looked at as a perfect preparation ground for the World Cup. When the chief selector Ajit Agarkar was asked how close he is to finalising a squad for the World Cup, he said that the group will be more or less from the same bunch of 17 players who have been picked for Asia Cup. Later, captain Rohit was asked about the lack of batters who could chip in with a few overs in the current team unlike the MS Dhoni-led squad which went on to lift the Trophy in 2011 to which he suggested on a lighter note that the Sharma and Kohli could perhaps bowl in this World Cup as well.

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“That was the team of 2011, they had individuals like that. You have to make do with what you have. We are giving those performers chances. We cannot overnight create someone who can bowl. All these guys are batters and they can score runs, that is why the are in the team. But hopefully Sharma and Kohli can roll their arms over in the World Cup (laughs),” Rohit said at the presser.

Meanwhile, the India skipper advocated for flexibility in the batting order and suggested that the players have been told well in advance that they could be asked to bat at any number so that they are ready in advance when such a situation arises.