Xtra Time Web Desk: Will the selectors pick Deepak Chahar in Asia Cup squad? The all rounder has recovered fully and has been included in the India ODI squad for upcoming series against Zimbabwe. In all probability Chahar will be in the Indian side for Asia Cup 2022 in UAE along with KL Rahul.
Deepak was one of India’s consistent T20 bowlers before he got injured. The selection committee feel he deserves a fair chance and he is being thought as like back-up for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Harshal Patel is reportedly down with a rib-cage injury and his inclusion in the squad will be subject to fitness.
KL Rahul was supposed to make a comeback for the away ODI series in Zimbabwe but a bout of COVID-19 has apparently delayed his recovery. He had earlier underwent sports hernia surgery in Germany.
Another cricketer who is coming back from injury, Washington Sundar won’t be considered for the T20 World Cup as the team management wants to go ahead with the experience of Ravichandran Ashwin alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel. Similarly, Mohammed Shami has been intimated that he will only be considered for Tests and ODIs.
Let’s look at who are the certainties and who are in contention for Asia Cup Squad. As many as 13 cricketers are believed to be certainties. They are Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Among the cricketers in contention, there will be a tough fight between Deepak Hooda/Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson Back-Up Pacers. As far as back up bowlers are concerned, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar and Harshal Patel are in the reckoning for two more slots for medium pacers. Back-Up Spinners include Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi.
The squad will be announced on Monday. The Asia Cup will be played in T20 format in Dubai and Sharjah from August 27 to September 11.