The BCCI today (Sep 1) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2018, resting regular skipper Virat Kohli and leaving out Ajinkya Rahane from the team. Rohit Sharma will lead the Men in Blue while Shikhar Dhawan will be his deputy.
Young left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed has been included in the squad.
Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav made a comeback to the 16-member team that also includes Axar Patel and pacer Shardul Thakur.
Rishabh Pant failed to make the cut with the selectors deciding to stick with MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik as glovesmen.
#BREAKING | Indian Squad for #AsiaCup2018: Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan (VC), KL Rahul, AT Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Kartik, Kuldip Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Y Chahal, Akshar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumra, Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed. https://t.co/GENkXrrNop
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) September 1, 2018
The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates from Sep 15 with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka in the inaugural tie while India will play their opening game on Sep 18.
The Men in Blue will take on old foes Pakistan on Sep 19.
The Indian squad for Asia Cup 2018:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed.
