The Asia Cup 2023 will be played from August 31 to September 17 in a hybrid-model, to be held in Pakistan and in Sri Lanka. All of India’s matches, including if they reach the final, will be played in Sri Lanka, while PCB have retained the hosting rights of the entire tournament.
Sri Lanka are the Asia Cup defending champions – they won last year in the UAE, but the tournament then was in T20 format. The last time the Asia Cup was held in the ODI format was in 2018, which India won, defeating Bangladesh in the final in Dubai.
India will once again start the continental tournament as strong favorites given the talent, class, and experience in their ranks.
Team India is set to be further bolstered by the return of two big superstar players who will strengthen the side significantly.
These two Indian players are set for a return in Asia Cup 2023 after injury breaks:
Will Jasprit Bumrah play in Asia Cup 2023?
It has been reported that Jasprit Bumrah is bowling 8-10 overs per day at the NCA and will make his comeback in the Ireland series, before featuring in the Asia Cup 2023.
India will tour Ireland for 3 T20Is next month where Bumrah is expected to make his comeback to international cricket, having last donned the national jersey in September last year, and has been out of action since due to a back injury that needed a surgery earlier this year in March.
The Indian Express has reported that Bumrah is close to regaining full-fitness and is in line to tour with the Indian white-ball team for the T20Is in Ireland next month. He’s currently recovering at the NCA where he’s slowly increased his bowling workload.
“His rehab programme has been continuing under the watchful eyes of BCCI’s head of cricket VVS Laxman, and he is bowling full throttle at the nets, where he is sending down 8-10 overs,” The Indian Express said.
Shreyas Iyer is also set to return
Another Indian player who is set to make his return from an injury break is batsman Shreyas Iyer. Iyer sustained a back injury during the Test series against Australia at home. He then missed the entire IPL 2023 to get a surgery done and kick-started his rehab.
Iyer is a key cog at number 4 in India’s middle-order in the ODI side. In the Australia series, India tried KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav at number 4; SKY is also expected to bat at number 4 and audition for the number 4 slot in West Indies.
But if Iyer is fit for Asia Cup and returns in the tournament, he is likely to take his position of number 4 back. In ODIs at number 4, Iyer averages 47 in 20 innings with 5 fifties and 2 centuries.
