India has announced a formidable 15-member squad for the Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, set to take place in Oman from October 18 to 27, 2024. Tilak Varma, the Mumbai Indians star, has been appointed as captain of the India A team, marking a significant leadership role for the young talent.
The squad includes notable players such as Abhishek Sharma, who returns for the second consecutive year after participating in last year’s tournament where India A reached the finals. Despite struggling in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, Sharma aims to make a strong comeback alongside other team members, including Rahul Chahar and Sai Kishore, adding depth to the bowling attack.
“Leading India A is a great honor, and I’m excited about the challenge ahead,” Varma stated, emphasizing his commitment to performing well in the tournament. The squad is well-rounded, featuring a blend of pace and spin bowlers, with Anshul Kamboj, Vaibhav Arora, and Rasikh Salam leading the pace attack, while Hrithik Shokeen and Rahul Chahar bolster the spin department.
India A will kick off their campaign against Pakistan A on October 19, a match that is eagerly anticipated by fans of both teams. The tournament includes a total of eight teams, divided into two groups, with India A placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, UAE, and Oman.
This edition marks the sixth iteration of the Emerging Asia Cup and is significant as it transitions to a T20 format, providing a platform for emerging cricketers to showcase their skills at the international level. Historically, India has been a strong contender in this tournament, having won the inaugural edition in 2013 against Pakistan, and reaching the finals in 2018 and 2023. However, Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain the most successful teams, each with two titles.
As the tournament approaches, fans are excited to see how this young and talented squad performs on the continental stage.