'I am pleasantly surprised to see him in the squad' - Abhishek Nayar on star India batter's selection for Asia Cup 2023

Abhishek Nayar (Source: Twitter)

India will kick start their campaign in the 16th edition of Asia Cup when they lock horns with Pakistan on 2nd September at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. The Chairman of Selectors, Ajit Agarkar, along with the Men in Blue skipper, Rohit Sharma, announced the 18-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023 in the press conference on Monday, August 21, in Delhi. Former India cricketer, Abhishek Nayar also shared his thoughts on India's squad for Asia Cup 2023. The left-hand batter is happy with the selectors as they elected young Tilak Varma for the tournament.

"I am pleasantly surprised to see Tilak in the squad. During the Wst Indies series we had a lot of discussions about who are the middle-order options for India. Tilak Varma can bowl also and he is a player for the future who has done well in the IPL also. Yes, it is a big call. Normally close to a World Cup you don't want to take a lot of chances," Nayar was quoted as saying on Jio Cinema

Tilak Varma could play a role like Yuvraj Singh or Suresh Raina, says Abhishek Nayar

"But the Asia Cup is the perfect platform to test someone like Tilak Varma and see what he is made of. When you have someone who has shown you a pattern in terms of performing under pressure, I don't see that's a bad thing. I think going forward he is someone who can fulfil the role that a Yuvraj and Raina played for India with both bat and ball. I think India should try him I big matches at the Asia Cup because if he does well, he could be India's trump card or x-factor in the World Cup, whom no one has seen before," the left-hand batter asserted.

Former India wicket-keeper, Saba Karim also shared his optimism about the squad. "This is a great opportunity for India to not only test their core strength but also their bench strength. It is a luxury for the selectors that they have been able to pick 17, so they can try out a few newcomers in the XI, as an when required. This continental challenge will be a big test for India against the likes of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh because all these teams have raised their respective games in the 50-over format. But I do feel that India hold a slight edge compared to others," the former India Cricket Board selector told Jio Cinema.