Mumbai Indians star Tilak Varma has been appointed as captain of the India A squad for the upcoming Emerging Asia Cup 2024 T20, which is scheduled to take place in Oman from October 18 to 27. The tournament will feature eight teams, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and host Oman.
India A’s Strong Lineup for Continental Tournament
India A has announced a formidable 15-member squad for the tournament, featuring several young talents and established names from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Tilak Varma, who has been in stellar form in the domestic circuit and IPL, will lead a power-packed side that includes Mumbai Indians teammate Abhishek Sharma, Lucknow Super Giants’ Ayush Badoni, Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Nishant Sindhu, and hard-hitting Mumbai Indians duo Nehal Wadhera and Ramandeep Singh.
Abhishek Sharma, an explosive opener, returns to the Emerging Asia Cup squad for the second consecutive year. Sharma was part of the Yash Dhull-led India A squad that reached the final of the previous edition in 2023 but fell short to Pakistan. Despite a lackluster performance in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, Abhishek will be eager to make his mark in Oman.
Bowling Firepower: Vaibhav Arora to Lead Pace Attack
The bowling unit of India A is headlined by senior pacer Vaibhav Arora, whose experience and skill will be crucial for India’s chances. Alongside him, young fast-bowler Rasikh Salam will add variety to the pace attack. The spin department will be led by seasoned campaigners Rahul Chahar and R Sai Kishore, both of whom are known for their ability to control the game in middle overs.
The squad features a balanced mix of youth and experience, with players like Anuj Rawat and Prabhsimran Singh expected to anchor the innings, while Ayush Badoni and Nishant Sindhu will provide all-round contributions.
Emerging Asia Cup 2024: A Platform for Young Talent
The Emerging Asia Cup, an initiative by the Asian Cricket Council, offers a valuable platform for budding cricketers to experience high-pressure, international-level competition. The tournament, now in its sixth edition, aims to nurture and expose young cricketers to top-tier cricket, helping them transition to the senior level.
India won the inaugural edition of the Emerging Asia Cup in 2013, beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. Since then, India has reached the final on two more occasions—in 2018 and 2023. However, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have emerged as the most successful teams in the competition, each with two titles.
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India A Squad for Emerging Asia Cup 2024
- Captain: Tilak Varma
- Vice-Captain: Abhishek Sharma
- Ayush Badoni
- Nishant Sindhu
- Ramandeep Singh
- Anuj Rawat
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Nehal Wadhera
- Anshul Kamboj
- Hrithik Shokeen
- Aaqib Khan
- Vaibhav Arora
- Rasikh Salam
- R Sai Kishore
- Rahul Chahar
India A will begin their campaign in Oman, competing against top emerging teams from the continent. As the tournament progresses, the team will look to claim their second title and continue India’s tradition of strong performances in this developmental competition.
The tournament will serve as a golden opportunity for young players to make a case for senior team selection, with performances in the Emerging Asia Cup often catching the eye of national selectors.
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