KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer's fitness causing delay in BCCI announcing India squad for Asia Cup 2023 - Reports

India will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan on 2nd September at Pallekele.

With Asia Cup just two weeks away, Team India have yet to finalise the 15-member squad. India have not yet announced its squad for the big Asian event. Jasprit Bumrah will be making his comeback in India’s short tour of Ireland for a three-match T20I series. Along with Bumrah, there were two-to-three more players selectors are concerned about before picking the final Asia Cup squad. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are still doubtful for the tournament and are assessing the situation before taking the final call. According to a few reports, the delay in team selection is only because of these two players’ fitness assessments.

KL Rahul needed as a keeper

Talking about Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul’s fitness update, A BCCI source informed PTI that if KL Rahul gets the fitness clearance, then he will be keeping the wickets for India. “Keeping 50-overs in Sri Lankan heat would take a toll, and NCA can only give him (Rahul) a fit certificate if he can don the gloves without any apparent discomfort. Also, they (Rahul and Iyer) have not played anything, and the first international game against Pakistan could be a bit too much pressure. But then time is of the essence.” KL Rahul suffered a thigh injury in the IPL 2023, and Shreyas Iyer injured his lower back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Iyer-Rahul both were on the field for full 50-overs

Indian Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant is also present at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore at the moment, getting his treatment done and getting ready as soon as possible to make his comeback. Pant posted a video on Instagram where Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were batting together in a practise match at NCA. Reports also came out that KL Rahul kept wickets after playing a full 50-over innings, and Shreyas Iyer also took the field for 50 overs after batting along with KL Rahul in the practise game. Iyer and Rahul’s selection will solve the problem Team India is having in the middle order.

‘Can’t play with Tilak’s career’

Tilak Varma, after his good work in West Indies tour, got one of the probable names to represent India in the Asia Cup as well as in the mega event World Cup 2023. Tilak Varma is looked at as a possible number 4 member in the middle order as Shreyas Iyer’s replacement. A BCCI Source on Tilak’s selection said, “Yes, He has started well, and he will surely play ODIs in the future. But what if he is pushed too quickly and it turns out to be counterproductive? You can’t play with Young careers. Yes, he could be discussed, but only if both Iyer and Rahul are ruled out.”

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