India's strongest XI for Asia Cup 2023

India has announced a 17-men squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar in Delhi on Monday. Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, who are important for team India's ODI World Cup 2023 make a comeback in the 50-over format.

Sanju Samson will be travelling as a backup player. Yuzvendra Chahal was dropped from the squad, with Kuldeep Yadav preferred as the only wrist-spinner along with two finger-spinning allrounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

Here's India's strongest XI squad for Asia Cup

Top Order

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill (Source- Twitter)

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have done a brilliant job as openers together. Gill has 750 runs, he leads the tally for most runs in the ODIs this calendar year so far among the players who hail from teams that will play in the World Cup.

Gill scored 624 runs in nine matches in 2023, with an incredible average of 78.00. The right-handed top-order batsman is noted for his calm composure and match-winning ability. Gill also won the orange cap in IPL 2023 after scoring 890 runs, the second-highest total in a single IPL season. Given his batting success, it would be interesting to see Gill in the Asia Cup.

They will be the first-choice openers with no doubt that they are currently the best ODI openers for India. Whereas Ishan Kishan shall be the key backup opener and will give an extra wicket-keeping option. But as Rahul has a small niggle, the Jharkhand-born batter might have to bat at No. 4 or No. 5.

Virat Kohli will be in at No.3, he will look to continue his white-ball form. He has scored 613 runs in 10 innings at an average of 61.3 and a high score of 183 at the Asia Cup. However, in Asia Cup 2022 (T20I) Virat was the 2nd highest run scorer. He scored 272 runs in 5 matches. Moreover, in this year (2023), Virat has made 787 runs in 15 ODI matches in which he has made 3 centuries.

Middle Order 

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer (Source- Twitter)

The middle order for Team India is the most tricky part as far as Asia Cup 2023 squad is concerned. With Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul coming back to the side the Men in Blue are in full strength in the middle order part. The right number 4 and the number 5 combination of batters are fit so Team India will be a bit relieved.

Rahul at the middle order is a versatile player who can bat anywhere in the order. He is been playing well lately, and he will be a crucial part of India’s middle order. He has a strong record at No. 4 in ODIs, scoring 241 runs from 7 innings at an average of 40.17 and scoring a century. The Karnataka-born batter has 742 runs, including a hundred and an average of 53 from the No. 5 position.

While Iyer, in the middle-order batter, has made 1631 runs at an average of 46.60 and a strike rate of 96.50. The right-hander has two hundred and fourteen fifties to his name in 38 innings, scoring 50 or more runs in every 2.5 innings he plays.

The batter has played at three spots, from number three to number five, and has an exceptional record at both number 3 and 4. He has an average from 46.60 to 59.33 when batting at 3, in the 9 innings he has played so far. At the number 4 spot, he averages 47.35 in 20 innings.

Pandya played 11 ODI matches in 2023 and scored 280 runs in 10 Innings. Hardik Pandya's Highest Score in ODI is 70. This year he has a strike rate of 110.8 with an average of 34.80. He has picked up 7 wickets in 5 ODI innings with a strike rate of 23.14 and an average of 18.85. His bowling 10 overs will be a big boost for India in the Asia Cup and the World Cup later this year.

All-rounder and Bowlers

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammes Shami (Source- Twitter)

An important player for India in both bowling and batting is the all-arounder from India, Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja has been in fantastic form and will be an important player for India in the middle and lower order and as a bowler has been exceptional. The Gujarat-born all-rounder is a fantastic fielder as well and is one of the best fielders in world cricket right now.

Finally, talking about the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the squad after a prolonged injury and has been performing well in the ongoing Ireland series. With a fit Bumrah in the team, the main question for Team India shall be to play 3 paces and 3 spin combination or to play 4 pacers and 2 spinners combination.  Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj should join Bumrah. Whereas Kuldeep Yadav will be the obvious to join Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department.