Asia Cup 2023: Three youngsters who will be key to Rohit Sharma-led team's success at continental event

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The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is set to start from August 30. The six-team event will consist of a total of 13 matches. Nine of them will be played in Sri Lanka and four in Pakistan.

India will kick off their campaign against Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele. Their second match will also be played at the same venue on September 4. India and Pakistan are again expected to lock horns on September 10 in Colombo.

India have named a strong 17-member squad. Experienced campaigners KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah have returned for the big occasion. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj who were rested for the white-ball leg of the West Indies tour are also making a comeback. A lot of experience will be there on offer.

However, eyes will be on the three youngest members of the sides. Let's have a look at three Indian youngsters who will play a key role at the Asia Cup 2023.

Ishan Kishan in Asia Cup 2023

The wicketkeeper-batter has been in sublime form for India in the last few months. He was the leading run-scorer for India in the 3-match ODI series against West Indies which saw him score 184 runs in three matches at an average of 61.33 and a strike rate of 111.51.

There is a lack of clarity over his position in the team. In case KL Rahul isn't fit for the first few matches, the 25-year-old will definitely play as a wicketkeeper-batter. Largely considered as India's back-up opener, Ishan Kishan can open as well with Rohit Sharma demoting himself by a position.

The southpaw is known to play aggressive cricket and would be crucial against left-hand pacers. Overall, he has played 17 ODI matches till date and scored 694 runs at an average of 46.26 and a strike rate of 107.43.

Shubman Gill in Asia Cup 2023

The 23-year-old will hold key to India's success not only at the Asia Cup 2023 but also at the World Cup 2023. The right-hand batting sensation has lately not been in the best of forms but he is expected to peak at the right time.

In the ODI series against West Indies, Gill was the second-highest run-scorer after Kishan. He scored 126 runs in three matches at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 80.25.

The Punjab-born batter is India's highest-ranked batter in the ICC ODI rankings for batters. He is placed fourth behind Babar Azam, Rassie van der Dussen and Imam-ul-Haq. He has played a total of 27 ODI matches and scored 1437 runs at an average of 62.47 and a strike rate of 104.05.

Tilak Varma in Asia Cup 2023

The latest Indian batting sensation has been fast-forwarded into the Indian ODI squad just days after being handed the debut cap. The southpaw showed tremendous talent and maturity beyond his age in the 5-match T20I series against West Indies and the selectors could just not ignore him.

The five matches saw him score 173 runs at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 140.65. The 20-year-old, just days after making his India debut, is in line to make it to the Indian World Cup squad. Eyes will be on the talented Hyderabad batter.