"Hopefully Sharma and Kohli can roll arm over": Watch Rohit Sharma jokingly hints at bowling in Asia Cup 2023

India announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, led by Rohit Sharma

With only a week left until the start of the Asia Cup 2023, the Indian selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming tournament. In a press conference held on Monday, August 21, featuring chairman of the Indian senior men’s selection committee Ajit Agarkar and Indian captain Rohit Sharma, made some big decisions ahead of the tournament. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have made comebacks after recovering from injuries.

Agarkar confirmed that Iyer is fit to go, while Rahul has a small niggle that is not related to his previous injury. Notably, Sanju Samson will also travel with the team as a backup keeper in case Rahul is not fully fit. Rohit Sharma will be leading the team, and Hardik Pandya will be his deputy for the tournament. More or less of this side is expected to be the same that will play in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Watch: Rohit Sharma hints at bowling during the Asia Cup 2023

The squad has a good mix of young and experienced talent. Tilak Varma has made an interesting entry after a successful debut series, while Suryakumar Yadav has retained his place. Ishan Kishan is also part of the team, but he is unlikely to get a game after the return of Iyer and Rahul (if fit). Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishan will be in India’s pace attack.

The spin department will have the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. Hardik Pandya, Jadeja, Axar, and Shardul are the all-rounders in the squad. But the Indian captain indicates two more all-rounders in the team. In the press conference, Sharma dropped a hint at Virat Kohli and himself rolling over their arms during the Asia Cup 2023.

Watch the video here:

Notably, Rohit and Virat had bowled in their international careers under MS Dhoni. However, it looks like India needs some batters who can bowl a few overs, like they had in 2011, which made the difference. India will play their first game in the coming tournament against Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele. They are in group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four. India won the last Asia Cup edition in 2018, led by Rohit Sharma.

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