India’s preparations for the upcoming Asian Games have received a boost with three additional bowlers joining the Shreyas Iyer-led contingent as net bowlers.

Rasikh Salam Dar, Vicky Ostwal and Kartik Tyagi have been selected by the national selectors to travel with the Indian team to Japan. Although they are not official members of the playing squad, the three bowlers will provide additional options during India’s training sessions ahead of the Asian Games and a bilateral T20I against Japan.

The trio reportedly left New Delhi for Tokyo on Saturday night, September 19, as the Indian team began its preparations for a busy assignment in Japan.

Three Bowlers Added to India’s Japan Contingent

Rasikh Salam Dar, Vicky Ostwal and Kartik Tyagi bring experience from domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rasikh Salam Dar, 26, began his domestic career with Jammu & Kashmir and now represents Baroda. He has also been part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.

Vicky Ostwal, 24, is another RCB-associated player and has represented Maharashtra in domestic cricket. He is a left-arm spinner who has been regarded as a promising young bowling option.

Kartik Tyagi, 25, represents Uttar Pradesh and has also featured for Kolkata Knight Riders. The right-arm fast bowler has previously attracted attention for his pace and ability to bowl effectively in the shorter format.

Their presence gives India’s main squad additional bowling resources during practice.

Why India Needed Additional Net Bowlers

The Indian Asian Games squad currently has only 14 players.

Nitish Kumar Reddy was originally selected in the Asian Games squad but was later withdrawn after being added to India’s ODI squad for the home series against West Indies.

That reduction in squad size made the presence of additional bowlers particularly useful during training.

With only 14 official squad members available, having three specialist net bowlers means India’s batters can face a greater variety of bowling during practice sessions.

The three bowlers are expected to be especially useful during India’s stay in Sano, where the team will conduct its initial training before travelling to Nagoya for the Asian Games.

India to Practise in Sano

The Indian team will hold its first practice session at Sano International Stadium on September 21.

India will then play a bilateral T20I against Japan on September 22. The fixture will give the Shreyas Iyer-led side an opportunity to get accustomed to the local conditions before moving towards the main Asian Games competition.

Following the bilateral fixture, India will remain in Sano for a few more days.

During this period, the three additional bowlers will be available to assist the team’s practice sessions.

For the batters, this will provide an opportunity to spend more time facing different bowling styles and combinations without placing excessive workload on the official members of the squad.

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Asian Games Campaign Begins on September 28

After completing their stay in Sano, the Indian contingent will travel to Nagoya for the Asian Games.

India’s first match of the competition is scheduled for September 28.

The team will enter the tournament with significant expectations, particularly given India’s depth in T20 cricket and the experience available within the squad.

The period before the opening match will therefore be important for the players to adjust to the conditions, finalise combinations and build match rhythm.

The presence of Rasikh, Ostwal and Tyagi should help the squad maintain an intensive training environment throughout the preparation period.

IPL Experience Adds Value

All three additional bowlers have connections with the IPL, giving them exposure to high-level T20 cricket.

Rasikh Salam Dar has been associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after making his way through domestic cricket with Jammu & Kashmir and later Baroda.

Ostwal is also part of the RCB setup, while Tyagi has represented Kolkata Knight Riders and has experience with other IPL teams.

Their familiarity with the shorter format makes them useful practice options for an Indian squad preparing specifically for T20 cricket.

Facing bowlers who have experience in domestic and franchise cricket can also provide India’s batters with a competitive training environment.

Focus on Preparation Rather Than Selection

It is important to note that the three players have been added as net bowlers rather than as official members of the Asian Games squad.

Their role is primarily to support the team’s preparation.

This means they will not be treated as part of the main 14-member squad for the tournament. Instead, their contribution will come through practice sessions and helping the coaching staff create realistic match-like scenarios.

For the bowlers themselves, the assignment provides an opportunity to train alongside India’s national-level players and coaching staff.

It could also serve as valuable exposure for their own development as they continue to push for opportunities at the highest level.

India Has a Busy International Schedule

The Asian Games preparations are taking place alongside another important international assignment for India.

The Indian ODI squad for the three-match series against West Indies has been asked to assemble in Trivandrum on September 23.

The 15-member ODI side will be led by Shubman Gill, with the first ODI scheduled for September 27.

The second match will take place in Guwahati on September 30, while the third ODI is scheduled for New Chandigarh on October 3.

Following the ODI series, India will host West Indies in a five-match T20I series beginning in Lucknow on October 6.

The packed calendar means India’s player pool is being divided across different assignments, with several players involved in the Asian Games campaign while others represent the senior ODI side.

Shreyas Iyer to Lead the Asian Games Side

The Asian Games team will be led by Shreyas Iyer, who brings considerable experience in limited-overs cricket.

The team will first have the opportunity to play Japan in the bilateral T20I before beginning its Asian Games campaign.

The practice sessions in Sano will be particularly important as the players adjust to the conditions and prepare for competitive matches.

Having three additional net bowlers should allow the team’s batting group to get more repetitions during training, while also helping manage the workload of the official bowlers.

A Useful Opportunity for Three Young Bowlers

For Rasikh Salam Dar, Vicky Ostwal and Kartik Tyagi, travelling with the Indian contingent represents an important professional opportunity.

All three have experience in domestic cricket and have been associated with IPL teams. Working alongside an India squad in an international environment can provide valuable insight into preparation, training standards and professional routines.

Although their role is limited to supporting the team’s practice sessions, their presence could still prove useful for both the players and coaching staff.

India’s Japan assignment is likely to be closely watched as the team prepares for the Asian Games. With the main squad reduced to 14 members, the addition of three net bowlers provides much-needed depth during training.

The Indian contingent will now focus on its September 21 practice session, followed by the T20I against Japan on September 22. After that, attention will shift towards Nagoya and the Asian Games, where India’s campaign begins on September 28.

Meanwhile, the senior ODI squad will begin its own preparations in Trivandrum on September 23 ahead of the West Indies series.

With two separate assignments running simultaneously, India’s broader player pool will be involved across multiple fronts, making the coming weeks an especially busy period for Indian cricket.