Umran Malik to replace injured Shivam Mavi in India T20I squad for Asian Games - Reports

Published at :September 13, 2023 at 7:34 PM

Modified at :September 13, 2023 at 7:34 PM

Fast bowler Umran Malik might replace Shivam Mavi in India's squad for Asian Games.

Indian T20I squad for the Asian Games 2023 might see a change as injured paceman Shivam Mavi is set to replace fast bowler Umran Malik, reports have suggested. The squad will get together in Bengaluru for a short camp before flying to Hangzhou, China, for the event.

An Indian Express report suggested that Shivam Mavi suffered an injury a few days ago and is all set to miss the continental games to be held next month in Hangzhou. The nature of the injury to Mavi is not known.

Due to rigorous guidelines enforced by the Indian delegation at Asian Games village, Indian team would not be flying with reserve players. National Cricket Academy (NCA) will oversee the two-week camp that Indian squad members have been invited to in Bangalore.

As per the report, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior selection committee wanted to send Yash Thakur of Vidarbha for China event, but the 24-years-old is also injured. The selection committee is likely to pick Umran Malik as a replacement for Mavi.

VVS Laxman will be coaching the second-string Indian team along with Sairaj Bahutule as the bowling coach and Munish Bali as the fielding coach.

Indian team to directly play in quarter-finals of the Asian Games cricket event

Asian Games are to be held in China’s Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, and Indian team will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The women’s team will be led initially by Smriti Mandhana, as Harmanpreet Kaur has been banned for two matches. If Indian women qualify for the finals, Harmanpreet will come back to lead the side.

The men’s team will be a B squad because the main team will be in the midst of the 50-overs World Cup to be played at home.

The women’s cricket competition will take place from September 19–28, while the men’s competition will start from September 28–October 8. Both competitions will be played in the T20 format.