The Board of Control for Cricket in India on 8 July confirmed that no World Cup-bound cricketers will be considered for selection in the men’s team for Asian Games.
This indicates that India’s first-ever men’s cricket team for the Asian Games will be without regular captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, star batter Virat Kohli, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, keeper-batter KL Rahul, pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj among other regulars in ODIs.
“BCCI will send both men’s and women’s teams to the Asian Games scheduled to be held in September 2023 at Hangzhou, China. However, considering the overlap of schedule of the Asian Games with ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, BCCI will select from the players not participating in the World Cup to play in the Asian Games,” Hindustan Times quoted BCCI secretary Jay Shah as saying after the 19th Apex Council meeting.
Earlier, the BCCI Apex Council approved on Friday that the IPL version of the much-talked about Impact Player Rule will be used in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (SMAT) beginning 16 October. It us set to take place in Hangzhou, Chinna in September-October.
With Asian Games is set to begin on 23 September and will go on till 8 October, and the 50-over ICC World Cup 2023 tournament to take place in India from 5 October, it makes impossible for India’s star cricketers to participate in the previous tournament as they would be busy in preparations for the latter one. India play their first match against Australia on 8 October.
The BCCI will name a 15-man squad and keep three official reserve players, and India’s men’s team for Asia Games, won’t feature those 18 cricketers picked for the ODI World Cup 2023.
Probable Men’s squad for Asia Games:
It is most likely that Shikhar Dhawan, not in consideration for a World Cup spot, may lead the squad. Other probable cricketers may include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar.
Probable Women’s-squad for Asia Games:
Like Men’s, there is no such deal. A full-strength squad led by regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur is set to travel to China.
As per details, this would be the third time cricket will be a part of the Asian Games, as previously they — both men’s, and women’s teams — did not participate in the tournament.
Not only for India, but even Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan may face the same issue.
5 major announcements after Apex Council meet:
1) BCCI will formulate a policy for its players with respect to their participation in overseas T20 leagues.
2) BCCI will continue with the concept of Impact Player in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the next season with two variations from previous season and the Indian Premier League.
3) Two bouncers per over in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be introduced to balance the contest between bat and ball.
4) BCCI will work towards the upgradation of stadiums in the country in two phases.
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Updated: 08 Jul 2023, 05:18 PM IST