Asia Cup 2023: In a massive boost for Indian Cricket Team, KL Rahul will be fit for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 set to commence from August 30 to September 17. The right-hand batter who went surgery on his thigh is in all likelihood 100% ready for the Continental Cup. However, there is no word on Shreyas Iyer yet after he underwent back surgery in April.
After missing WTC Final and West Indies series due to a thigh injury, the LSG skipper is back to full fitness. Rahul uploaded a video on Instagram doing wicketkeeping and batting drills. Initial reports suggested that Rahul might not be fit enough for Asia Cup, but according to report, the 32-year-old is completely fit and available for selection.
The LSG captain’s return to the squad will provide India with much-needed balance as he is the designated wicketkeeper in the ODI squad.
“The coaches and medical experts at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bangalore are satisfied with Rahul’s progress/recovery. He will be available for selection for Asia Cup,” RevSportz quoted an NCA source.
Asia Cup squad by Monday, BCCI waits for Rahul & Shreyas fitness report
Asia Cup 2023: KL Rahul to return, Iyer doubtful for Continental Cup due to persisting back problem
Currently, India are using Ishan Kishan as the wicketkeeper batter in ODIs. The southpaw was tried in the middle order during the New Zealand ODI series, but he failed to get going in the middle order. Rahul’s return will allow skipper Rohit Sharma to play either an extra batter or bowler. The LSG skipper has done in ODI in the past year averaging over 50 and striking runs at 95.
With Rahul back, he will take the wicket-keeping spot. Meanwhile, Iyer has not fully recovered even after back surgery. The right-hand batter missed the entire season of IPL 2023, the WTC final, and the West Indies after a back injury during the Sri Lanka series. When InsideSport contacted BCCI official on Shreyas Iyer’s fitness he said will know in two days time
“We are very sure that both of them will be fit for World Cup. They may very well be fit by the time Asia Cup begins. But we won’t be rushing them. Rahul should be fine in three weeks’ time. As for Shreyas, we will know more in the next two days,” the official said.
Iyer’s likely absence from Continental Cup gives Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav another shot at cementing their place in the ODI World Cup squad.
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