Leading up to the Asian Games, the Indian cricket team has faced an unfortunate setback even before their planned gathering in Bangalore for a brief training camp. Shivam Mavi, a pace bowler, suffered an injury several days ago, rendering him ineligible for the upcoming continental games scheduled for next month in Hangzhou. The specific details regarding Mavi's injury remain undisclosed. Consequently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior selection committee will soon be tasked with the responsibility of selecting a replacement for him.
Initially, the selectors contemplated the possibility of sending Yash Thakur, who was among the standby players. However, Thakur also encountered a back injury, prompting the selection committee to lean toward proposing Umran Malik as Mavi's substitute.
#ShivamMavi reportedly suffered an injury a few days ago and is set to miss the continental games, however, the nature of his injury is yet to be known#CricketTwitter #India https://t.co/itXUo9FxAz
— News18.com (@news18dotcom) September 13, 2023
Significantly, the Indian team won't have reserve players accompanying them, owing to stringent regulations adhered to by the Indian contingent at the Asian Games village. Instead, Indian team members have been summoned to Bangalore for a two-week training camp under the supervision of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). This initiative will witness VVS Laxman leading the coaching staff for the secondary Indian team, while Sairaj Bahutule will oversee bowling coaching duties, and Munish Bali will handle fielding coaching.
The Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8, will see Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm of the Indian team. Initially, the BCCI had cited prior commitments as the reason for their decision to skip the Asian Games. However, they subsequently reconsidered, opting to field both men's and women's teams.
The men's team will be designated as a B-squad due to the primary team's involvement in the 50-over World Cup taking place in India. The women's cricket competition is slated to run from September 19 to 28, while the men's competition will commence from September 28 to October 8, with both adopting the T20 format.
Regarding administrative changes, the Indian board will undergo a shift in the senior selection committee. It has come to light that Salil Ankola, a former Indian pacer representing the West Zone in the selection committee, will be stepping down. This decision arises from the board's preference not to have two selectors from the same zone. Some months ago, former India and Mumbai captain Ajit Agarkar was appointed as the new chairman of the selection committee. Given that both Agarkar and Ankola hail from the West Zone, it was deemed more appropriate for Ankola not to seek renewal after completing his one-year term as a senior selector.
It's noteworthy that the current selection committee comprises Agarkar, SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, S Sharath, and Ankola. Their one-year contracts will require reapplication in December of this year. During the annual general body meeting scheduled to be held in Goa, the BCCI intends to seek approval for inviting applications once the current term expires. Concurrently, the board will present a revised compensation package for the selection committee.
Also Read: Which Teams Will Play in the Final of Asia Cup 2023?
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