Asia Cup 2022 Strongest Predicted Squad for Team India

Rohit Sharma to captain while KL Rahul to be his deputy as we look at the strongest predicted squad list for Team India for Asia Cup 2022.

Update: There is a more recent article on this near-to-perfect squad list for team India for Asia Cup 2022. Check out the article here.

The year 2022 is going to witness two biggest T20I carnivals in the cricketing world – The T20 World Cup 2022 and the Asia Cup 2022. While the T20 World Cup is scheduled for October-November, the Asia Cup, scheduled in August-September will act as a Mini T20 World Cup for the Asian Giants.

The tournament usually shuffles between the ODI and T20 format depending on the year it is being played. This year, it will be played in the T20 format as a prelude to the T20 World Cup. To recap, the 2018 version of the tournament was played in the ODI format as a prelude to the ODI World Cup. 

As of today, the Asian Cricket Council hasn’t officially announced the schedule. But it is expected to be scheduled from August 27 to September 11, 2022 in Sri Lanka. The format is expected to be a round-robin followed by Super Four and Grand Final.  

Given the tournament is going to be a Dress Rehearsal for the India team, we should expect India to select a full-strength side. So, what’s the strongest predicted 15-members squad for Team India for the 2022 Asia Cup 2022 assuming all the members are fit and fine? Let’s find out.    

Openers: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul & Rohit Sharma

If we talk about two first-choice openers for Team India, look at no other than Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as primary openers. Rohit and KL are the Captain and vice-captain duo in the limited overs. They are also the best available openers in India. Undoubtedly, they will play all the matches as openers unless for injury. 

For backups, India have options in the form of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sanju Samson. But of the three, Ishan Kishan seems to be the front runner. Kishan, who was recently rated as the highest ranked Indian batter in T20Is is an aggressive opener. His fearless batting may be needed in case Rohit or KL miss out due to unforeseen circumstances. 

Middle-order: Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli 

Coming to the middle-order, India would definitely play Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. Even as Virat Kohli’s form is not up to the mark, he remains India’s prime match-winner for T20 World Cup. With him at 3 and Suryakumar Yadav at 4, there would be a sense of assurance that India would have a strong middle-order. 

Meanwhile, Ideally one of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant should be in the squad. But this is the dilemma India would face. If India select both, they would miss out on a third all-rounder. But both are needed as they play different roles. While Pant is an attacking Lefty for the middle-order, DK is the attacking finisher.

In case one of these two doesn’t play, Deepak Hooda, the all-rounder could be selected. Deepak has been impressive in the limited exposure to T20Is. His off-spin could come in handy as well as the sixth bowler. But as unfortunate as it may sound, he may miss out from the final 15, but will be in the reserves. 

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Coming to the all-rounders, India will have to keep content with only two options – Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. Jaddu and Pandya are Team India’s best all-rounders currently. Not only will they be selected in the final 15, but they will most probably be a part of the first-choice playing 11 as well. 

Spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal & Kuldeep Yadav

Talking about the spinners, the Asian conditions should prompt India to play 2 spinners at the least. From the available lot, KulCha (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) seem to be the best available options. If India decide to select a third spinner, Ravi Bishnoi or Ravichandran Ashwin could be the go-to men for them. 

Pacers:  Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel & Jasprit Bumrah

From the pacers’ standpoint, India should ideally select three pacers at the least, and the fourth one as a backup. But who India selects would be quite interesting. With so many options available, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Harshal Patel should definitely make it without any debate. 

For the fourth pacer option, India have as many as 3 good options. This includes the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, and Avesh Khan. Who gets the nod will be dependent on their performance in the upcoming series vs West Indies and Zimbabwe. But as of today, Avesh Khan seems to be the front runner. 

Asia Cup 2022 – Strongest Predicted Squad Players List for Team India: 

Batters: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli 

Wks: Dinesh Karthik, Ishan Kishan & Rishabh Pant 

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya & Ravindra Jadeja

Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coach: Rahul Dravid // Captain: Rohit Sharma

Additional 3 Reserves: Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Hooda & Ravi Bishnoi

So, that completes the strongest predicted squad for Team India for the 2022 Asia Cup. From the above-mentioned squad, 11-12 members are sure-shot contenders. The debate points would be on the selection of Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Avesh Khan & Kuldeep Yadav.  

Thanks for reading! What’s your squad for Team India for the Asia Cup 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.