Tilak Varma is the only surprise inclusion in a batting-heavy Indian side with just two spinners in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, the latter edging Yuzvendra Chahal on the back of recent performances.
Also returning are Shreyas Iyer and K.L. Rahul, both sidelined for a while with injuries. Shreyas has got the all-clear, while Rahul had picked up a niggle in the last few days but should be available by the time the tournament kicks off, according to Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors.
“With Tilak we saw some real performance and temperament and this gives us an opportunity to give him some more exposure. Also as a left-hander he looks promising. When the time comes for that (World Cup selection) we will make the decision,” Agarkar told the media. The World Cup side is expected to be named on Sept. 5, midway through the Asia Cup.
Skipper Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, insisted that he was not thinking about being favourite for the title and that winning a tournament was a collective responsibility.
Marginal advantage
“We don’t believe in the thought process of being the favourites, we have to play well and win the tournament. All teams will be here to compete hard. It can be a little advantage playing at home but even the other guys play a lot here these days and are aware of the conditions. It is not about one player or position to win us a game or tournament, it’s about the entire batting unit coming together and getting the job done,” he explained.
The squad is scheduled to assemble in Bengaluru for a five-day camp.
The squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, K.L. Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna; Reserve: Sanju Samson.
India’s Group-A matches: Sept. 2: vs Pakistan (Pallekele); Sept. 4: vs Nepal (Pallekele).
