Rohit Sharma to lead team India in Asia Cup 2018

National selectors on Saturday announced the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, to be played in UAE, with Virat Kohli rested following a straining tour of England. In his absence, Rohit Sharma will lead the side. The tournament gets underway on September 15 with the final to be played on September 28 and features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and a qualifier. India play their first match on September 18, just a week after the last day of fith Test against England.

The 16-member squad includes Manish Pandey, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav who have been brought in while Suresh Raina, Umesh Yadav and Siddarth Kaul, who all found a place in the squad for England ODI series, are among ones to miss out.

Kohli’s workload was on selectors MSK Prasad-led selection panel’s mind which now has five members following Jatin Paranjape and Gagan Khoda’s return. Before the England series, Kohli had missed his Surrey County stint due to a neck injury. Then, during the second Test at Lord’s, the India captain suffered a lower-back strain. At the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka, between India’s tour of South Africa and the IPL, the selectors decided to send a second-string side.

“Considering the workload we have given Virat Kohli rest. He has been playing continuously for quite some time. We need to preserve some of our precious players who are playing all 3 formats, looking at that workload we have started with Virat and he will be rested for Asia Cup,” said the selectors.