There comes a major setback for the Indian team ahead of the Asia Cup 2023! Their first-choice wicket-keeper batter, KL Rahul will not feature in India’s first two fixtures in Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan & Nepal, Head Coach Rahul Dravid confirmed.
Dravid while addressing a press conference in Bengaluru ahead of India’s departure to Sri Lanka confirmed that KL Rahul is on the track of recovery. He further said that KL had a good week at India’s conditioning camp. But he couldn’t be ready on time for India’s first two games against Pakistan and Nepal.
KL Rahul to join Indian team in Asia Cup 2023 after fitness reassessment
Speaking further about KL Rahul’s progress & recovery, Dravid said that he had a good week at the conditioning camp with the entire Indian team. He also highlighted that Rahul trained well & his progress on the route. But he will miss the Kandy leg of Asia Cup 2023 as the management wants him to be entirely fit without risking him for any injury.
He also highlighted that the NCA will take care of him for the next few days & will reassess him on September 4. After his reassessment on September 4, any call on his departure for Sri Lanka will be taken. However, he stated that his signs of recovery are good & he is progressing at a good pace.
Initially, when India’s team for the Asia Cup was announced, KL Rahul was deemed conditionally fit for the event. Rohit Sharma & Chairman of selection committee, Agarkar cleared that he has fully recovered from the thigh injury which he sustained during IPL 2023 but he picked up a minor niggle which made him doubtful for the initial fixtures of the Asia Cup 2023.
After the announcement of India’s Asia Cup Squad, the medical team at NCA was happy with Rahul’s batting workload but they were monitoring his wicket-keeping skills. This is because he complained of soreness after one of the practice matches organized by the NCA to assess the recovery of both KL Rahul & Bumrah.
Rahul displaying batting prowess in the Allur Camp
On Tuesday, the final day of the six-day conditioning camp in Alur, KL Rahul didn’t keep any wickets but underwent a long batting stint. He hit the nets for 35 minutes after beginning his day with light warm-ups. He was made to face a spin attack considering his role at No. 5 & his form seemed astounding. He made use of his feet perfectly while facing legspinner Mayank Markande against the turn used the depth of the crease to nudge deliveries & then smashed sweep shots in full force against the two left-arm spinners R Sai Kishore and Manav Suthar.
After tackling with spin, Rahul faced a fierce pace attack with Bumrah & Krishna bowling to him with the new ball. Rahul looked focused & was trying to face the ball as per its length & pace. After a full-fledged session, Rahul also interacted with the team’s senior players, Virat Kohli & Coach Rahul Dravid. On Monday Rahul even went through wicket-keeping drills focusing on side movements, especially the spin attack. However, the duration was short in order to keep him ease in.
Meanwhile, India’s designated wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant was seen spending some time with the Indian team doing rehab & fitness drills. In the absence of KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan is expected to don wicket-keeping gloves for the first two fixtures. Sanju Samson has been named as a backup for KL Rahul in the traveling reserves.
Also read, Asia Cup 2023 Opening Ceremony- All that you need to know
