BCCI to announce Asia Cup squad today; Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill in contention
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Deccan Herald
3 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Cricket Asia Cup: Gill Returns as the Vice-Captain
Test skipper Shubman Gill's return to vice-captaincy in T20Is was the only major decision the national selectors took while announcing the squad for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, as the wise men chose not to tinker much with a successful combination. While most members of the squad for the continental bash—due to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9–28—picked themselves, the major point of deliberation was: Would Gill return to T20Is and, if so, would he replace Axar Patel as the vice-captain? Well, both those questions were answered with an emphatic 'yes' by the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. Gill, who last played a T20I in the bilateral series in Sri Lanka where he was the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav, has been in impressive form since the IPL, and the selectors just couldn't ignore the current superstar of Indian cricket. However, his return will force a change in a settled batting order. Gujarat Titans' captain Gill scored 650 runs in this season's IPL, and he carried that blistering form to England in the five-Test series where he hammered four centuries en route to amassing a record 754 runs. 'The last time when he played T20Is for India, post the T20 World Cup (2024), when we went to Sri Lanka (in July 2024), not the tour of Zimbabwe. I was leading then and he was the vice-captain and that's when we started a new cycle for the next T20 World Cup,' said skipper Suryakumar at a press conference at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.'After that he got busy with all the Test series at home. He did not get the opportunity to play T20 cricket because he got busy playing Test cricket and also the Champions Trophy. He is there in the squad now and we are happy to have him,' he added. With Gill's return, the management has a tough decision to make in figuring out who opens with the Punjabi. During Gill's absence, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson racked up runs in blistering fashion, and forcing one of them to drop down the order could be a hard call. Another option is to play Gill at one-drop, which would mean sacrificing the talented Tilak Varma, who scored two back-to-back unbeaten centuries in the series against South Africa last November. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar welcomed the selection headache, saying it's Suryakumar and head coach Gautam Gambhir's problem to solve: 'There are more options for the top order now and Shubman has been in great form anyway. When they get to Dubai, they can decide on the playing XI according to the opposition and the conditions. It's their headache to pick the batting line-up, ours was to pick the 15.' Beyond Gill, there weren't any major surprises, barring the inclusion of lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah. While there wasn't much doubt about his place in the squad—considering the tournament is a major build-up event on the road to the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka early next year—the only point of concern was his workload. 'We have had a nice break from the England series. We are trying to look after him. Most fast bowlers are monitored and it won't change. How we require him for future tournaments is also important,' said Agarkar when asked about Bumrah's workload management.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Confident of proving my mettle in Asia Cup: Rinku Singh
1 2 3 4 Fazal Khan Lucknow: After middle-order batter Rinku Singh on Tuesday managed to hold on to his place in the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup , he said that his preparation is going well and he is determined to prove his mettle in the tournament. Talking to TOI while attending a practice session at sports galaxy ground, Rinku said, "This is the first time that I've got the opportunity to play in a multi-national tournament. Last year, I missed out on the T20 World Cup. If I am given the chance to play in the eleven, I will give my best." "My preparation is going well. Recently, I played a lot of practice matches ahead of the UPT20 League for my franchise, Meerut Mavericks, in Noida. I scored two fifties there which has infused a lot of confidence in me," he said. Asked about his playing position, he said, "Let me make it clear that I am not a finisher. Indian Premier League-2023 was the best phase of my career, and in that season, I batted at number 5. I scored runs for the team, and when I played for India, I also played at number 5 and scored three fifties for Team India. I have no inhibitions about batting on any position." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Highest Paying Degrees For 2025 Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo Speaking about his experience with the ball, Rinku said, "Cricket has become fast-paced and selectors believe that if a player has both bowling and batting skills, it benefits the team. All-rounders are given preference in the team. I bowl quite a bit in the domestic circuit and have taken many wickets. I have also taken wickets internationally. I have been bowling for a while, though not as much, but now, I am prepared for it. " Of the 33 T20I matches Rinku has played for Team India, he did not get to bat in nine matches, and remained not out on as many as nine occasions. He has three half centuries to his credit, having made 546 runs at an average of 46 per innings at a strike rate of 161. Speaking about India's prospects in the Asia Cup, he said: "We are confident that we will win the tournament. Winning Asia Cup will be as good for me as for anyone else." On the ongoing UPT20 league, he said, "I thank 'Rajeev (Shukla) sir' and UPCA for successfully conducting the tournament for the third consecutive year. The tournament gives 10-12 prospective cricketers for IPL every year. Those who perform well in UPT20 League have better chances to be roped in by IPL franchises." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
BCCI above national interest? Aditya Thackeray on India vs Pakistan at Asia Cup
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday wrote to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya against a proposed match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup and asked whether the BCCI is above the national letter said many nations have been isolated in sports over a cause that is for the greater good of humanity. Terrorism is one such cause that prevents either of our nations from progressing the past decade, time and again, the country and its citizens have faced terrorist attacks based out of Pakistan, and the Union Government has reiterated it constantly, Thackeray stated. Recently, the Prime Minister also said water and blood cannot flow together from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Yet, only because of BCCI's insistence and desire for the money and ad revenue, probably, it holds the "sindoor", and lives of our jawans as negligible, he said."Yet, sadly enough, and shamelessly, the BCCI is sending a team to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Is the BCCI above national interest? Is it above the sacrifice of our Jawans? Is it above the Sindoor of those who faced the attack in Pahalgham?" Thackeray said."We sent out delegations to the world, saying Pakistan is behind Pahalgam. Now, will we send out delegations to the world to justify why we are playing cricket with them?" Thackeray is truly a shameful act, when Pakistan has backed out of playing hockey in India, citing security reasons, that the BCCI plays Pakistan for selfish interest, the former Maharashtra minister two marquee India versus Pakistan games will be held in Dubai during the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled to start in the UAE from September and Pakistan will square off on September 14 in Dubai and one more time, potentially on September 21, at the same venue. The final on September 29 will also be held in Dubai. The tournament will be held in T20I format, keeping in mind the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year.- Ends
