The 2022 edition of the Asia Cup T20 tournament will take place in the United Arab Emirates from August 27. The tournament was initially supposed to take place in Sri Lanka, but due to the ongoing political and economic crisis there, it was shifted to the UAE, but Sri Lanka will remain the host. This year, in preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13, the Asia Cup will be played in the T20I format, making the upcoming matches, in which India will face Pakistan at least twice, crucial. Ahead of the team selection in Mumbai on Monday for the multi-nation event, DRITI ATRI takes a look at the 15 players who can find a place in the squad.
OPENERS: Even though since the end of last year's T20 World Cup, India have tried as many as eight players as openers, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are almost certain to be picked. And with Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli also capable of batting at the top in case of any mishap, there are almost negligible chances for a reserve opener.
MIDDLE ORDER: Virat Kohli will make his comeback for India in the Asia Cup after taking a break from the West Indies tour. He will bat at his usual number three position, and in the middle, joining him will be Suryakumar Yadav. The Mumbaikar has established himself in the white-ball format of the game.
WICKETKEEPER: Even though there are options in the form of Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant is almost certain to be picked up as India's first choice wicketkeeper-batter. His numbers in white-ball cricket are not as high as they are in Test cricket, but he cannot be dropped.
ALL ROUNDERS: Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are two of the best all-rounders in world cricket at the moment, and both of them are almost certain to be picked. Apart from contributing with the bat and ball, both are excellent fielders and now also have the experience of leading an IPL side, which will come in handy as the tournament progresses.
FINISHER: There's no one better than Dinesh Karthik in the world at the moment as a number seven batter. The veteran Indian stumper made a sensational comeback to the Indian shortest format side and is now on his way to the big events.
PACERS: Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are definite starters, and with Hardik Pandya to support them with the ball in hand now, India is likely to stick with the duo for the Asia Cup.
SPINNER: Even though Yuzvendra Chahal wasn't included in the Indian team for the five T20Is against West Indies, he is still India's first choice white-ball spinner, and despite competition from Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, he will get the nod.
RESERVES: Since the squad for the Asia Cup is almost likely to be the one that India will field in the T20 World Cup later this year, it becomes interesting to see which other four players get the selectors' nod. Since Harshal Patel is out of the Asia Cup due to an injury, there are question marks over his availability for the T20 World Cup as well. But India have enough options to replace him and the likes of Deepak Chahar, who will return to action for the first time since February 20 against Zimbabwe this month, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami will be in the fray. As far as a back-up middle order batter is concerned, Shreyas Iyer is likely to get the nod of selectors over Deepak Hooda, who has also impressed in the limited chances he has had so far. And in the back-up spinner category, Axar Patel is likely to pip Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, and Kuldeep.
India's likely squad for the Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar, Arshdeep Singh