NEW DELHI – Indian National selectors on Saturday announced the squad forthe upcoming Asia Cup, to be played in UAE, with Virat Kohli restedfollowing a straining tour of England, Indian Express has rwported.

In his absence, Rohit Sharma will lead the side. The tournament getsunderway on September 15 with the final to be played on September 28 andfeatures Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and a qualifier.India play their first match on September 18, just a week after the lastday of fith Test against England.ADVERTISEMENT

The 16-member squad includes Manish Pandey,Ambati Radau and Kedar Jadhavwho have been brought in while Umesh Yadav Suresh Raina and Siddarth Kaul,who all found a place in the squad for England ODI series, are among onesto miss out.

Kohli’s workload was on selectors MSK Prasad-led selection panel’s mindwhich now has five members following Jatin Paranjape and Gagan Khoda’sreturn. Before the England series, Kohli had missed his Surrey County stintdue to a neck injury. Then, during the second Test at Lord’s, the Indiacaptain suffered a lower-back strain. At the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka,between India’s tour of South Africa and the IPL, the selectors decided tosend a second-string side.

“Considering the workload we have given Virat Kohli rest. He has beenplaying continuously for quite some time. We need to preserve some of ourprecious players who are playing all 3 formats, looking at that workload wehave started with Virat and he will be rested for Asia Cup,” said theselectors.

India’s middle order remains unsettled and continues to be the problem withthe World Cup in England fast approaching. Ambati Rayudu’s Man of the Matchperformance against Australia A has brought him back into the setup havinginitially lost his place for failing the mandatory Yo-Yo Test. Suresh Rainahas not been brought in after being unable to make a mark in the 50-overformat in England.