BCCI set to announce India’s World Cup 2023 squad on September 3, standby players likely

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is likely to announce the squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 on September 3, India Today has learned. The final 15 for the 50-over cricket’s showpiece event is set to come two days before the deadline to announce the provisional squads, which will also be the day after the marquee Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Kandy.

India can still make changes to the squad by September 28, which is 7 days before the commencement of the World Cup in Ahmedabad. Notably, India play a 3-match ODi series against Australia after the Asia Cup from September 21 to 27.

India are likely to have standby players in the provisional squad, considering the uncertainty over the fitness of some of the mainstays, especially KL Rahul.

India named a 17-member extended squad for their Asia Cup 2023 campaign. India also named a traveling reserve in the squad in Sanju Samson as cover for KL Rahul after chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that the Lucknow Super Giants captain picked up a fresh niggle.

After weeks of speculation, India added both Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul to the Asia Cup squad despite their long injury layoffs. Agarkar, speaking to the press on August 2021, confirmed that Iyer was declared fit but Rahul picked up a fresh niggle that was unrelated to his previous thigh injury. Agarkar also said that Rahul was unlikely to be available for India’s opening match at the Asia Cup against Pakistan.

Notably, India played 2 matches in the group stage of the Asia Cup before the deadline for the provisional World Cup squad announcement.

India also picked 20-year-old Tilak Varma in the Asia Cup squad after his impressive T20I debut in West Indies. Tilak has not played an ODI for India and it’s unlikely that he would get a game against Pakistan.

On the other hand, India also persisted with Suryakumar Yadav despite his lean patch in ODIs while bringing back Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah who shone on their return from injuries in the tour of Ireland in August.

India players have been going through fitness and skill training at a special preparatory camp in Alur, near Bengaluru. KL Rahul was seen batting at the nets on Friday while Ishan Kishan, who has been impressive as wicketkeeper batter was working on his keeping skills with fielding coach T Dilip.

It remains to be seen who will get the axe in the provisional ODI squad as India don’t have enough competitive matches to give opportunities for players to stake their claim.