Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma to attend selection meeting, India's Asia Cup 2023 squad to be out on August 21 - Reports

Indian team head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma to attend the selection meeting in Delhi.

As anticipation builds for the Asia Cup, the Indian cricket fraternity is abuzz with the news that head coach Rahul Dravid and ckipper Rohit Sharma will be attending the selection committee meeting scheduled in New Delhi on August 21. This unprecedented collaboration hints at the significance of the upcoming tournaments and the meticulous planning underway within the Indian cricket ecosystem.

The inclusion of Dravid in the selection committee meeting marks a departure from the norm and highlights the extraordinary circumstances at play. Recognising the importance of synchronised strategies for the Asia Cup and the impending World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has brought Dravid into the decision-making fold. With chairman Ajit Agarkar leading the committee, Dravid's wealth of experience and cricketing acumen are expected to play a pivotal role in charting the team's course.

Amidst the deliberations, the prevailing sentiment suggests that the squads for the Asia Cup and the World Cup will adhere to a core framework, with calculated adjustments aimed at enhancing the team's prowess for the October-November championship. This blueprint is aligned with the selectors' and team management's approach of refining the team's skills through preparatory fixtures. The itinerary includes six matches in the Asia Cup and an additional three encounters against Australia, all intended to hone the team's competitive edge ahead of the World Cup.

India's batting department heavily relied on Rohit and Kohli

While India's batting traditionally boasts depth, the reliance on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has raised concerns about middle-order stability. While Shubman Gill displays promise, the readiness of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan for the ODI format remains a topic of discussion. Tilak Varma, while touted as a prospect, is assessed as relatively inexperienced with significant challenges.

KL Rahul's potential return brings an element of intrigue. Reports suggest his fitness and readiness to reclaim his position, pending formal clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). A practise match for Rahul at the NCA before the selection committee meeting awaits confirmation. Following selection, a preparatory camp in Bengaluru beckons for the players before their journey to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup.

Jasprit Bumrah's swift resurgence post-injury has resolved one of the selection puzzles, reinstating his significance as a formidable pace spearhead. With Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami as potent contenders and Shardul Thakur's all-round capabilities adding a dynamic dimension, the selectors face an intriguing puzzle in finalising the pace battery.