Asia Cup: The fear that was haunting the Indian team just before the Asia Cup, now the team has to face it. In a way, Team India has suffered a setback ahead of this big event. What Team India Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had said is going to come true that KL Rahul is going to miss the first few matches of the Asia Cup 2023. Now Team India head coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that KL Rahul will not play the first two matches.
Before the selection of Team India for the Asia Cup, questions were being raised about Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. When the team was selected for the tournament, both were named. During the press conference, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said that Shreyas Iyer is fully fit. KL Rahul has recovered from his old injury but has a niggle.
Ahead of the Asia Cup, Team India took part in a practice session at Alur in Bengaluru. KL Rahul also practiced with the team. Sometimes while batting and sometimes wicketkeeping, his photos went viral on social media. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 29 August 2023, just a day before the start of the Asia Cup, head coach Rahul Dravid gave the latest update on KL Rahul’s fitness.
Rahul Dravid said that Rahul will not be available for the first 2 matches of the Asia Cup. That is, he will not play in the matches against Pakistan and Nepal in the group stage. Dravid also informed that Rahul will not go to Sri Lanka with Team India. He will stay at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
What is brewing about KL Rahul?
After the statement of Rahul Dravid, the question has started to arise whether Rahul is fully fit or not.
Is it too early for KL Rahul’s return? Only the Indian team management is aware of whatever pothole is being cooked regarding KL Rahul. Coach Rahul Dravid, skipper Rohit Sharma, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar should not forget the hasty comeback of Jasprit Bumrah. Last year, there was an attempt to hastily get Bumrah back on the field to play in the T20 World Cup. The result was that this star fast bowler of India was away from the field for almost a year.
Injury problems are not new for KL Rahul
Injury troubles are not new to KL Rahul. He had to undergo thigh surgery after getting injured in the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023). Earlier, he had a thigh strain in November 2021. A hamstring injury happened in February 2022. The groin injury occurred in June 2022. Later he underwent a sports hernia operation. After this, he suffered a thigh injury in IPL 2023, for which he underwent surgery.
If not KL Rahul then who?
KL Rahul’s old injury has healed, but he has to face a niggle. Although he is involved in the training camp for the Asia Cup and is practicing continuously, but has not been seen completely in the flow, He was seen doing wicketkeeping drills and batting. If KL Rahul is out then Ishaan Kishan may get a chance, but the question is will Ishaan Kishan bat in the middle order or will the management go with the traveling reserve Sanju Samson?
What if Ishan Kishan does well?
The question is not only about KL Rahul’s availability. In the current situation, Ishan Kishan will play in the middle order as a wicketkeeper. In such a situation, the question is also that in the absence of KL Rahul, what will happen if Ishan Kishan has done well in two matches? Will he be benched after KL Rahul returns?
This question is reasonable because Ishan Kishan has been dropped from the playing 11 after scoring a double century. When it comes to feeding Rahul and getting Kishan out, it will be said that the left-handed wicket-keeper batsman is being seen as an opener. The team management sees him as an opener. The management will also argue that Rahul has played a vital role for the team in the middle order over the years.
Read Also – Asia Cup 2023: Which players could be there in the India Asia Cup squad and ICC ODI World Cup?
