Strongest Playing XI for India in ODI Asia Cup 2023

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is all set to begin on 30 August 2023. India are in Group A along with Pakistan and Nepal. They will begin their campaign on 2 September against Pakistan and then, they will play against Nepal on 4 September. Men in Blue will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka only. Meanwhile, India are the most successful team in the history of this tournament with seven titles. 

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They won it last time back in 2018 and in the last edition, they failed to qualify for the final. Therefore, fans will expect them to win this time around as this tournament can be a great platform for them to get prepared for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. The Indian Cricket Board announced an 18-member squad, consisting of top players and hence, Rohit Sharma will look to field the strongest playing XI against each opposition.    

Here is the Strongest Playing XI for Team India for the Asia Cup 2023:

Top Order:

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Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli (Image Source: Twitter)

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli will be India’s top-order batters. Rohit will be the skipper also. The Men in Blue have always been a team that mostly depends on their heavyweight top-order batters. So, this time around, it will be not an exception as these players' performance will give a solid foundation to post or chase big scores. 

Virat Kohli had a great Asia Cup 2022 and he will look to replicate the same this year. While the opening partnership of Rohit and Gill has been good so far. In nine innings, they have scored 685 runs together at an average of 76.11. Therefore, top knocks from these players will be necessary for the team.    

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Middle Order and WicketKeeper:

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul (Image Source: Twitter)

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will be the perfect players to bat at the number four and five position respectively. Both these players are coming back after a long injury setback. But, their previous performances in these positions are enough for the team management to show faith in them again this time around. Rahul will be the wicketkeeper also. 

Also Read: ALL SQUADS FOR ASIA CUP 2023

At number four, Iyer has scored 805 runs in 20 innings, at an average of 47.35. He has smashed five fifties and two centuries. While at number five, Rahul has scored 742 runs in 18 innings, at a staggering average of 53. He has seven fifties and one century also to his name. Hence, these players will look to stabilize the innings along with the needed acceleration as per match situations.    

All-Rounder and Bowlers:

Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah (Image Source: Twitter)

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will be two all-rounder options for India. Both these players will look to perform the role of finisher for the team, especially during the death overs. With the ball, Pandya can be a handy option as the sixth bowler while Jadeja’s economical spin can produce pressure among the opposition.

Kuldeep Yadav has been doing good in terms of form in recent matches. So, he is expected to continue in this tournament, especially in Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches. Then, India will bank on the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj as pacers can set the tone early into the game with quick wickets.

Also Check: Strongest Playing XI for Pakistan in Asia Cup