The deadline for World Cup 2023 squad submission is set. As InsideSport reported earlier, August 29 will be the preliminary date for submitting squads while September 5 will be the deadline. Beyond that, all teams must get ICC Technical Committee’s approval. As by September 5, it is almost impossible for India Cricket Team to get Rishabh Pant back in action, BCCI and selectors want KL Rahul to do the job instead. Currently, recovering, Rahul will be back in action in Asia Cup 2023.
“No, it’s not possible to get Rishabh back for World Cup. He needs time, more importantly, he needs longer time to get back in keeping role. Rahul is our designated keeper for ODIs and there are also Ishan and Sanju as backups,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
ICC on WC Squad submission deadline:
“The initial squad submission deadlines at our tournaments are 30 days before the support periods start. The support periods start one week before the tournaments.
Changes may be made before the support period without seeking permission, but once the support period kicks in, the Event Technical Committee needs to approve replacements.”
– ICC
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There were initial discussions on Rahul being a full-time keeper in Tests as well. But with his fitness being a concern, the selectors did not pursue that avenue. Instead, they are backing Rahul to regain full fitness by Asia Cup.
Currently, in rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Rahul has resumed batting practice. He will now gradually increase the intensity of training over the next few weeks.
KL Rahul is recovering from thigh surgery for an injury he sustained in the IPL 2023. While he missed the latter half of IPL as well as WTC Final 2023, and the West Indies tour, he is likely to be back for Asia Cup.
“The idea was to have Rahul, Shreyas and Jasprit back for Ireland series. It would have helped them get back in the groove. But we are not sure yet if Shreyas and Rahul will be fit by then. We have time. We will see how they progress. They should be fit for Asia Cup if everything goes well. As for Jasprit, we are very hopeful he can come back for Ireland series,” the official added.
World Cup 2023: Where do India stand in injury crisis?
- Jasprit Bumrah: After missing a year of cricketing action, Bumrah is on track to be fit for IND vs IRE T20s.
- The premium pacer had a recurrence of his back injury during the England tour last year. While he did return for 6 overs but the rushed return cost India dearly. Bumrah missed T20 WC, IPL and WTC Final besides IND vs WI series.
- Bumrah has now begun bowling at full tilt at the NCA and will be playing a few practice games this month.
- KL Rahul: He is making good progress since the surgery. However, he has only begun batting this week and he is still some time away from match fitness. He will continue to increase the intensity of training and is likely to return for Asia Cup.
- Shreyas Iyer: Despite initial hiccups, Iyer is back on track. He also underwent back surgery and has begun batting practice. However, it is unlikely that he will make it to the Ireland tour. But as the series starts only on August 18, selectors will take a call on him later this month.
- Rishabh Pant: Despite making remarkable progress since his near-fatal car crash in December, the young wicketkeeper batter is far away from regaining full fitness. He is expected to take 6-7 months more to return to fitness.
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