Asian Games 2023: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a significant announcement on Friday, revealing the 15-member Indian men's cricket team that will represent the country at the highly anticipated Asian Games in 2023. The event is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China, from September 23 to October 8. The cricket matches, played in the T20 format, will take place from September 28 to October 8 at the esteemed Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field.
Due to the coinciding schedule of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in India, starting on October 5, the Indian team for the Asian Games will largely comprise emerging talents and young prospects. Prominent names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be absent from the Hangzhou-bound squad, offering an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming players to showcase their skills on the international stage.
Stepping up to lead the Indian team at the Asian Games is the 26-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been an impressive performer for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. His captaincy skills and batting prowess will be key in guiding the team towards success in the prestigious tournament.
The team's bowling department will see the inclusion of talented left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been the leading wicket-taker for Punjab Kings in the IPL 2023. His ability to swing the ball and pick up crucial wickets will undoubtedly be an asset to the Indian side.
Joining the ranks of the Indian team is the young and highly promising Yashasvi Jaiswal from Rajasthan Royals. Recently making headlines with a century on his Test debut against the West Indies, Jaiswal's inclusion is well-deserved and adds depth to India's batting lineup.
Another exciting addition to the squad is Rinku Singh, known for his aggressive batting performances for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2023. His maiden call-up to the Indian team is a testament to his outstanding performances, and he will be eager to make a significant impact in the Asian Games.
An interesting development in this year's Asian Games is that both the men's and women's cricket teams have been named by India for the first time in the history of the event. This decision signifies the growing importance of cricket in multi-sport competitions and reflects the nation's commitment to promoting the sport at all levels.
Cricket has been featured in the Asian Games twice before, during the Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014 editions. Bangladesh emerged victorious in the inaugural edition, while Sri Lanka holds the title of defending champion. Afghanistan, on the other hand, finished as runners-up in both past editions, showcasing their competitiveness in the cricketing arena.
Looking back in time, this will be the second instance where the Indian men's cricket team participates in a multi-sport event. The team had previously represented the country at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, competing in a 50-over format. Although the matches were not classified as official international fixtures, they were recorded as List A games.
As the excitement builds and the countdown to the Asian Games 2023 begins, all eyes will be on the Indian men's cricket team as they aim to make their mark on this prestigious international platform. With promising young talents and emerging stars on board, the team is poised to put forth a spirited performance, giving their best to bring glory to the nation. Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the action-packed competition that will unfold in Hangzhou, where the Indian team will have an excellent opportunity to shine brightly on the global stage.
Team India: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dube, Prabhsimran Singh (wicket-keeper)
Standby players: Yash Thakur, Sai Kishore, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Sai Sudarsan
