India’s Asia Cup squad to be announced on August 21; will KL Rahul & Shreyas Iyer make the cut?

Fans are eagerly waiting to know whether KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah will be on the plane to Sri Lanka for the upcoming Asia Cup after a long lay-off due to injury when the selectors will pick the squad on August 21.

As per reports, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid will be present in the selection committee meeting chaired by Ajit Agarkar.

Rahul and Iyer’s fitness status could be the main discussion point in the selection meeting. Iyer is understood to have ticked most boxes in his first practice game earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Rahul’s fitness is key to India solving their wicketkeeper conundrum, especially with Rishabh Pant still recovering from injuries sustained during a serious car crash in December.

If picked, Rahul is likely to bat at No. 5 and keep wicket. If he is not selected, Ishan is the frontrunner for the wicketkeeper’s role. Moreover, if Iyer is selected, it will solve the crucial No. 4 debate in the batting position.

Meanwhile, Bumrah opened India’s Ireland tour with a player-of-the-match winning effort in Dublin by capturing two for 24. Both of his wickets came in the first over.

The Men in Blue will open their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2. Then they will play against Nepal on September 4. Both the games will be played in Pallekele.