Team India’s leadership duo, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, are slated to rejoin the Asia Cup 2023 camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Wednesday. After a significant hiatus following their participation in the India vs. West Indies ODIs last month, both Sharma and Kohli are set to resume their roles and preparations for the upcoming cricket tournament.
The most recent international match that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli participated in was the 1st ODI against the West Indies. Alongside them, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are also anticipated to join the Asia Cup 2023 camp on the same day.
While Pandya and Suryakumar contributed to the India vs. West Indies five-match T20I series, they were granted rest during the three-match T20I series against Ireland. Other members of the Asia Cup 2023 squad, announced on Monday, who are currently partaking in the Ireland T20I series, are expected to join the squad later this week.
The camp is specifically designed for the Asia Cup 2023 squad, ensuring participation only for those players on the roster. According to a senior BCCI official, “The camp is for the Asia Cup squad. Rohit and Virat will be joining from Day 1. They are arriving tomorrow in Bengaluru. Most of the guys will be joining in from Day 1. The rest will join after they arrive from Dublin.”
In the meantime, fully-recovered players Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are also set to become part of the camp. Shreyas Iyer managed to prove his fitness through practice games organized by the NCA. On the other hand, KL Rahul recently encountered a minor issue and is being monitored within the camp. Consequently, Sanju Samson has been designated as a traveling reserve, ready to step in should KL Rahul’s fitness not be secured for the tournament.
Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, noted, “Shreyas Iyer has been declared completely fit. KL Rahul, in the last few days, not his original injury, but he has picked up a niggle. That’s why Sanju Samson is at the moment traveling with us. But the physios, I am sure, will get a report, at some stage, they are all expected to be fit. If not at the start of the Asia Cup, probably from the 2nd and 3rd game (Rahul to be fit). He is well on track. Shreyas Iyer has been passed fit. Two important teams for us. We don’t have to pick the World Cup team till September 5. That gives us more time.”
Despite KL Rahul’s minor setback, he will engage in lighter activities and batting sessions during the camp. The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to commence on August 30 with Pakistan hosting Nepal in Multan. India’s campaign will kick off with a much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy on September 2.