KL Rahul, India's wicketkeeper and batsman, will miss the opening two games of the Asia Cup 2023, the nation's head coach Rahul Dravid announced on Tuesday. The absence of Rahul provides a selection issue for the team management as India prepares to begin their campaign against Pakistan on September 2, followed by a match against Nepal on September 4.
Rahul Dravid, India's head coach, said in a tweet from the BCCI, "KL Rahul is progressing really well but won't be available for India's first two matches - against Pakistan and Nepal - of the Asia Cup."
Following the conclusion of India's training camp in Alur in Bengaluru, Dravid made this declaration. "While we are on the road for the next three days, the NCA will take care of him. On September 4th, we will reevaluate, and we'll proceed from there. However, things are going well. For the first two games, he won't be available, Dravid continued.
Rahul's omission indicates that if India qualifies, he will only be available from the Super 4 stage. Ishan Kishan is anticipated to play the keeper-batter during the opening games against Pakistan and Nepal.
Due to a 'niggle' unrelated to the initial thigh injury that kept him out for so long, there were concerns about Rahul's availability for the first few games. Despite participating in the six-day fitness and medical camp at Alur with other Asia Cup-bound players, Rahul had developed the new ailment, according to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who verified this development.
Despite not taking part in the yo-yo fitness test, Rahul's inclusion in the team is essential considering his function as a wicketkeeper-batter and his place in the middle order.
Rahul missed a lot of time on the field while he was rehabilitating from a right thigh injury he got in an IPL game. He undertook rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru with Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah after his operation in London.
Rahul experienced a new setback, although Bumrah and Iyer were able to fully recover their fitness.
The management of the Indian squad is still confident about Rahul's availability during the Asia Cup's Super 4 stage despite the initial setback.
However, Captain Rohit Sharma and Coach Dravid are faced with a selection conundrum because of Rahul's unavailability. Rahul plays a crucial part in India's middle-order batting lineup in addition to his wicketkeeping duties.
Ishan Kishan is poised to take over as the starting wicketkeeper despite the presence of backup wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Given that Kishan often plays the opening position, this circumstance raises concerns regarding his batting position.
One option is to replace Kishan in the middle order with Rahul, or to rearrange the batting order such that Kishan may open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. With diverse players filling important places in the lineup, such selections could have a significant impact on the team's batting dynamics and strategy.