Five Indian cricketers who will warm the bench in the Asia Cup 2023

Team India will face Pakistan in their opening encounter on September 2 in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

Asia Cup 2023 is all set to start on August 30 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In two groups of three each, there will be six teams participating. India, Pakistan, and Nepal are in group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are placed in group B. Team India will start their campaign on September 2.

They will lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. India are the most successful team in the tournament with seven titles, followed by Sri Lanka (6) and Pakistan (2). India announced a strong squad for the upcoming tournament, with the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul coming back into the squad. However, there will be some players who might have to sit out the tournament.

Here are five Indian players who are likely to warm the bench during Asia Cup 2023

1. Tilak Varma

The 20-years-old left-hand batter made an impressive debut in international cricket during the T20I series against West Indies. Tilak Varma was the top scorer for India, and his consistent performance earned him his maiden ODI call-up for India, that too in Asia Cup 2023. Tilak showed great maturity and did well in the middle-order, where others were struggling. But it seems pretty difficult for him to make his debut in Asia Cup 2023. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are back and are the first-choice middle-order batters.

2. Suryakumar Yadav

There is no doubt that, when it comes to the shorter format, Suryakumar Yadav is the best batter in the current Indian team. He plays some unbelievable shots, which makes him difficult to bowl at. But he hasn’t been able to convert his T20I form into 50-overs cricket. An average of 24.33 in 26 ODIs is below his standards. But he has retained his place in the team, and it is unlikely for him to get a chance after the return of Iyer and Rahul.

3. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has been picked in the team as a wicket-keeper batter. But the biggest issue with him is that he is a top-order batter. The Indian skipper has already confirmed that they will not have any change in the top order, which means Rohit, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli will be India’s top three. It indicates that Ishan might have to sit out in Asia Cup 2023. Rahul has a niggle, but if he is okay, Rahul will be the first-choice keeper in the team.

4. Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna made a remarkable start to his ODI career. But he suffered an injury and was out of action for months. But the pacer has made his comeback in the recently concluded Ireland series and bowled pretty well, which is the reason that he was included in Asia Cup 2023. Prasidh has taken 25 wickets in 14 ODIs, but despite that, he might have to sit out the tournament. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will be the two first-choice pacers. Then the edge might be given to Mohammed Siraj or Shardul Thakur.

5. Axar Patel

Another player who might have to warm the bench in Asia Cup 2023 is Axar Patel. The all-rounder comes with three-dimensional abilities and can turn the game in all three departments. But India will pick Kuldeep Yadav as the first-choice spinner in the team, who has more variations. Then, Ravindra Jadeja will undoubtedly be in the playing XI, which will keep Axar away from a place in the team.

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