The national selectors are facing a tricky choice especially regarding the selection of Virat Kohli, as they meet in Mumbai on Saturday to pick the Indian squad for the Asia Cup. The tournament, to be played in the UAE from September 15 to 28, comes on the heels of a gruelling two-month tour of England and precedes India’s home season. The biggest issue that confronts the MSK Prasad-led selection panel, which now has five members following Jatin Paranjape and Gagan Khoda’s return, is about managing the workload of Virat Kohli.
Prior to the tour of England, Kohli had missed his Surrey County stint due to a neck injury. Then, during the Lord’s Test, the India captain suffered a lower-back strain. At the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka, the selectors decided to send a second-string side to manage the workload of the frontline players. The Asia Cup is a little different, with Pakistan part of the roster.
Meanwhile, Kedar Jadhav has recovered from the hamstring injury that he suffered during the IPL. And between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant it could be a tight contest for the reserve wicketkeeper’s slot.
