Here's what Agarkar said

"KL Rahul has played as a wicket-keeping batter. The hope will be for him to get fit for the first match. It's a small set back, the niggle that he picked. But he is still a very important player."

2:03 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Rohit shed light on batting position

With batting position of India's senior batters have been the talking point prior to the Asia Cup. Captain Rohit Sharma advocated the fexibility in batting order.

Here's what he said:

"No one should be in the team saying I'm good at this position. We want guys who can bat anywhere when needed. Not just now but this has been the case for many years. The message has been conveyed. This is international cricket and not club cricket. They have to be ready to play in any position that the team needs. We don't want to be handicapped or stuck with one player batting in one position. Having said that, we want to get the best out of our players but no one has a set position. This has been told to the players, that they have to be flexible"

1:55 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Agarkar on why Chahal has been dropped

While addressing the media persons, Agarkar said Axar Patel has done really well and can bat as well. Kuldeep has done really well as well. To fit two writ spinners was really difficult which is why we have gone with Kuldeep.

Kuldeep Yadav

1:52 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Sharma and Kohli will roll their arms, jokes Rohit

While answering the question about batters who can bowl, captain Rohit says jokingly that Sharma and Kohli could roll their arms.

On a serious note, Rohit said he has to play with what he have.

Rohit Sharma

1:47 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Shreyas Iyer fully fit, says Agarkar

Agarkar informed during the press meet that Shreyas Iyer is declared competely fit. While KL Rahul is still having some niggle, he would be declared fit in few days' time.

Though it is a setback for KL but Agarkar is hopeful that Rahul will get fit competely in coming days.

1:43 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Hardik Pandya will be vice-captain

Despite all the rumours over the vice-captaincy, Hardik Pandya will be the deputy for Rohit Sharma.

Ajit Agarkar

1:40 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Shubman Gill is in the squad

There was some confusion with Star Sports reporting the squad incorrectly. Shubman Gill is in the squad for Asia Cup.

India squad for Asia Cup 2023

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (Back up).

1:33 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: India squad for Asia Cup 2023

According to Asia Cup official broadcaster Star Sports, this is the India squad:

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik pandya, Ravindra jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Moahmmad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (Back up).

1:24 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Tilak Varma gets maiden call-up; Iyer, Rahul return

According to Star Sports, Tilak Varma gets a place in India ODI squad. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul also find a place in Asia Cup squad.

Kuldeep Yadav is only wrist spinner in India's squad for Asia Cup 2023.

Tilak Varma

1:20 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Will Ashwin makes a surprise comeback?

There will be five spinners in contention for the World Cup berth --- wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal along with three finger spinners -- left-arm orthodox Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

While Ashwin for his experience in Indian conditions should have been seriously considered, not being kept back for the West Indies ODIs does make one think if he actually can make it to the white ball squad.

Recently, Ashwin was playing white-ball cricket in the TNCA league.

1:18 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Meeting is still underway

The selectors' meeting for Asia Cup is still underway at the ITC Hotel in Chanakyapuri. It is expected to end soon. The new timing for Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar's press conference is 1:30 PM IST.

1:13 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Here's how Shardul might get nod ahead of Prasidh

While Shardul, with 58 wickets, a half-century and a batting strike-rate of 106-plus from 38 ODIs, is expected to get the nod for his happy knack of picking crucial wickets, a fit-again Prasidh will remain in team management's scheme of things.

It must be noted that Dravid had earmarked the lanky Bengaluru speedster back in 2021-22 as one who was supposed to regularly play 50-over cricket for India.

Shardul Thakur

1:10 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Will BCCI also unveil World Cup squad today?

With the deadline for provisional squad being September 5, the BCCI might wait to announce its squad at a later date.

While there remains a school of thought that India should name the likely 15 to feature in the World Cup, the provision to select 17-member squads (as Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan did) gives them a chance to check-out all options before pruning it down to 15.

Rohit Sharma. Photo: PTI

1:06 PM

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Wicketkeepers' slot for Asia Cup and World Cup

Ishan Kishan could be India's first-choice wicket-keeper for the continental tournament, given the way he batted at the top during the West Indies ODIs. However, if Rahul (if he gets selected) proves his fitness as a wicketkeeper in the Asia Cup, his inclusion could solve India's middle-order problem ahead of the world cup. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson's lacklustre performance in the recent past could prove detrimental for him.

Sanju Samson bats during the 1st ODI cricket match between India and South Africa at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, in Lucknow (Photo: PTI)

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Topics :Rohit Sharma Asia Cup BCCI Rahul Dravid

First Published: Aug 21 2023 | 9:36 AM IST

India Asia Cup squad 2023: Iyer, KL return; Tilak gets maiden call-up

Agarkar informed during the press meet that Shreyas Iyer is declared completely fit. While KL Rahul is still having some niggle, he would be declared fit in a few days' time.

Key Events

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement

Asia Cup 2023 | India squad announcement LIVE: Will KL play as wicket-keeper?