Will India Win Asia Cup 2023? Squad Analysis, MVP, Probable Playing 11 & Expected Finish
India will take on Pakistan in their first game [Twitter]
In a significant development, the BCCI named a formidable 17-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023, set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The squad, led by Rohit Sharma, is an excellent amalgamation of experience and youth. Besides being studded with veteran players like Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, the team is also strengthened by the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who recently missed plenty of action due to injury.
Talking about India's Asia Cup campaign, the Men in Blue will cross swords against Pakistan in their opening game before taking on Nepal in their subsequent group-stage fixture. So, can India lift the title this time? Let's analyse the squad considering multiple factors to derive the conclusion.
Let's start the proceedings with India's squad for the Asia Cup 2023.
India's squad for Asia Cup 2023
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Tilak Varma, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (Back up)
As we can see, the Indian management has gone with all the first-choice players, barring Chahal, for the marquee event. But does this contingent has the fire-power to win the tournament? Let's analyse and find out.
Team India Asia Cup Squad Analysis
Strengths
Dynamic top order
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli [Twitter]
The Indian top-order, studded with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli is arguably the most lethal top three in the tournament. While Sharma and Kohli bring plenty of experience into the table, Gill has grabbed a million eyeballs through his sensational stroke play, against both pace and spin. More importantly, Gill and Kohli are incredible strike rotators and could, therefore, emerge as a threat to the opponents, especially in the middle overs.
| Runs | Average | Strike Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 9837 | 48.70 | 89.98 |
| Shubman Gill | 1437 | 62.48 | 104.06 |
| Virat Kohli | 12898 | 57.32 | 93.63 |
Batting depth:
Led by Rohit Sharma, India have a deep batting lineup, having Shardul Thakur, who can play breezy cameos, as their number eight. The depth gives their batters the opportunity to play with a positive mindset and keep scoring briskly.
Lethal spin duo
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will definitely play pivotal roles for India, considering their incredible spin-bowling attributes. Besides finishing the games with his swashbuckling batting, Jadeja can chip in with his handy left-arm off spin the middle overs.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep has been one of the most consistent performers in the ODIs of late and could be a game-changer for India on the spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches. They also have an able reserve in Axar Patel, who could be picked as the third spinner on extremely spin-conducive tracks.
Formidable new-ball bowling pair
Mohammed Siraj in action [Twitter]
India's new-ball attack has been significantly evolved since Mohammed Siraj has replaced Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the ODI setup. Regarded for his ability to make the new ball talk, Siraj has been a consistent wicket-taker for India in the 50-over format.
However, India's bowling attack will reach a whole new level in the Asia Cup, with ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah bowling in tandem with Siraj with the new ball. Both these bowlers are exceptional in the death overs as well and are expected to choke the opposition in the fag end of the innings.
The fast bowling reserves, comprising Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna, ensures quality in India's bench strength.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj (Since 2022) | 23 | 43 | 18.93 | 24.60 | 4.62 |
Weakness
Openers' vulnerability vs moving ball:Despite being incredibly talented, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have repeatedly struggled to tackle quality new ball bowling in white-ball cricket.
Both batters have the ability to smash daddy hundreds on slightly flatter decks, but they have faltered against new-ball swing, especially off the left-arm fast bowlers. So, considering this factor, Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi could be a threat to the Indian opening pair in their first game in Pallekele.
Opportunities
Balanced team for subcontinental pitches
Looking at their lineup, we reckon India have assembled a formidable squad for the subcontinental conditions. Being a team with a deep batting lineup, studded with dynamic hitters throughout it and six genuine bowling options, India will certainly pose serious challenge to all their opponents in the showpiece event.
Similarity in conditions
Most of the Indian players have previously played in Sri Lanka, where the conditions are pretty much similar to what they experience at home. There will be a hint of turn available for the spinners, where India can definitely put the opposition under the pump throughout the game.
Threats
Fitness of key players
Rahul and Iyer have recently recovered from injuries [Twitter]
While there is absolutely no doubt regarding their form, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah have recently missed plenty of action due to injuries. These three players haven't played ODIs for a long time and therefore, they might have a few rusty outings, denting India's chances to clinch the title.
Recent ODI form of Hardik Pandya
Experienced cricketer Hardik Pandya is expected to play a pivotal role for India, considering his incredible all-round attributes. However, his recent form could be a headache for team India, as he hasn't been at his best in ODIs of late.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Avg (Bat/Ball) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardik Pandya (in ODIs in 2023) | 11 | 280 | 10 | 31.11/34.10 |
Most Valuable Player: Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav [Twitter]
Once Yuzvendra Chahal's partner-in-crime, Kuldeep Yadav has emerged as India's wrecker-in-chief with the ball in the middle overs.
The left-arm chinaman spinner has enjoyed stellar success since his resurgence in the ODIs under the Rohit-Dravid regime, proving to be the go-to man in the most delicate phase of the game. Considering India will play their matches on spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches, we expect Yadav to be their most valuable asset in the tournament.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav (in ODIs since 2022) | 19 | 34 | 20.91 | 25.53 | 4.91 |
Probable Playing 11
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Expected Finish
Considering the squad they have, it will be disappointing if India don't end up winning the Asia Cup 2023. So, unless they crumble under pressure in the knockouts, we reckon Rohit Sharma and co will lift the title.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
