नवीनतम
Gill, Axar in race for vice-captaincy in Asia Cup squad
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Shubman Gill’s red-hot form in the recent Test series against England has made him a strong contender for the vice-captaincy in India’s Asia Cup T20 squad. However, all-rounder Axar Patel is also in the fray for the role in the tournament to be held in the UAE next month.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to meet on August 19 or 20 to finalise the squad, pending a medical update from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence Sports Science team. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav has already resumed batting in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to play the tournament but could be rested for the opening Test against the West Indies in early October.
A packed top order means it will be difficult to find places for in-form batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan. Abhishek Sharma, ranked world No. 1 in T20Is in the latest ICC rankings and Sanju Samson, who excelled with both bat and gloves last season, are also in contention.
"Shubman in current form can't be ignored, even though his runs came in Tests. He had a good IPL too. The problem for selectors is that there are too many top-order performers," a BCCI source told news agency.
Samson is almost certain to be the first-choice keeper, while the second keeper’s position will be between Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel. Jurel was part of the last T20 series while Jitesh impressed for RCB in their IPL-winning campaign, thriving in the finisher’s role.
