After the Test series against England, focus now shifts to next month’s Asia Cup. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who played three Tests in England under workload management, is likely to be available for the tournament but will miss the first Test against the West Indies in October, PTI reported.
Asia Cup from 9 to 28 September
New Test captain Shubman Gill, in fine form, is also in the race for T20 vice-captaincy with Axar Patel. The Asia Cup, in T20 format, will be held in the UAE from 9–28 September. The Ajit Agarkar-led panel may announce the squad on 19 or 20 August, depending on players’ medical updates, including that of skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Selectors are expected to retain the core that has thrived under Suryakumar, with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya in the top order. With many contenders, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan may miss out. Samson is likely first-choice wicketkeeper, with Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel competing for the second spot.
Hardik remains the leading pace all-rounder, while Nitish Kumar Reddy may not recover in time. Shivam Dube could be included, along with spin all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are certainties in pace attack, with Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana vying for the third slot.
Possible India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma/Dhruv Jurel.