KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer unlikely to attain fitness for Asia Cup 2023- Reports

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer likely to be ruled out of Asia Cup.

It’s doubtful that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be chosen for the Asia Cup 2023 team. The official list of players for the tournament will probably be announced this week. Sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indicated that both these batsmen haven’t fully recovered and won’t be considered for the championship happening from August 30 to September 17.

According to a report on Cricbuzz, both Rahul and Iyer haven’t fully regained their fitness. Even though they’ve been posting videos and images of their recovery on social media, insiders from BCCI believe that immediately putting them back into international matches for the Asia Cup might not be the best choice and could be too hasty.

Iyer, who hasn’t participated in competitive cricket since the Ahmedabad Test against Australia in March, had surgery for a troublesome back issue. Similarly, Rahul had surgery on his thigh after suffering a hamstring injury during IPL 2023.

Bumrah, Siraj, Shami to return for Asia Cup

Given that Rahul and Iyer won’t be available, it’s expected that many of the players who participated in the recent three-match ODI series against West Indies will compose the core team for the Asia Cup taking place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, there are likely to be some alterations in the bowling section with the anticipated return of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and the formidable Jasprit Bumrah.

With Ishan being added to the team, the management will have to make a choice about the opening pair once Rohit Sharma is back in the playing lineup. Signs suggest that Ishan and Rohit might be the chosen opening duo, and Shubman Gill, who opened during the three ODIs against West Indies, could move to the middle order. The definite team setup and batting sequence will be decided during the preparatory camp for the Asia Cup, set to take place in Bengaluru from August 24 to 29. India’s first match in the Asia Cup is against Pakistan on September 2nd.

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