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In what seems to be a big blow for Team India, the head coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that the star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will not be available to play in the first two matches of the Asia Cup 2023. Notably, KL Rahul recently made his comeback in the Indian squad after a long break due to an injury, that he sustained during the Indian Premier League 2023.
He was included in the 17-men squad by the Indian selectors last Monday, August 21, alongside another star batter Shreyas Iyer, who is also coming back from an injury. Rahul Dravid also informed that NCA will look after Rahul during his absence from the first two matches of India in the tournament.
“KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal of the AsiaCup2023,” Rahul Dravid was quoted as saying in an official tweet posted by the Indian Cricket Board.
“The NCA will be looking after him for the next few days while we are travelling. We will reassess on the 4th (September) and take it from there. But the signs are looking good. He will be unavailable for the first two games,” he added.
India will lock horns with the arch-rivals, Pakistan in their campaign opener at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Saturday, September 2. Following this clash, the men in blue take on the new entrants Nepal on the same ground in Kandy.
Here’s a look at the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna
Travelling Reserve – Sanju Samson
Coming back to KL Rahul, his availability for the Indian team, young wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is likely to replace him in the playing XI of the matches against Pakistan and Nepal, respectively.
Here’s how fans reacted to KL Rahu’s unavailability from the first two matches of Asia Cup 2023:
KL ne khud ne mana kiya hoga bhai, kyu ki pak ke against khelna sab ko pata he
— विजय (@bijjuu11) August 29, 2023
Means ishan kishan confrim for first 2 game
— Ashish Prajapati🇮🇳 (@Aash_prajapati) August 29, 2023
Thank God, Ishan kishan will play now🤗🤗🤗
— मुन्ना सिंह🐟 (@munna_sinngh) August 29, 2023
To fir select kyu kiya squad me ajib pagal log hai, sanju ko stand by me daal rakha hai or injured player carry kar rahe hai
— Supriya (@Supriya_pro) August 29, 2023
So Kishan is getting couple of games.
— Apurv Anand (@apurv_anand) August 29, 2023
Let’s see how he encashes these two opportunities and challenge that slot
He should have played Ireland matches before playing Asia Cup.
— Sayantan Pandit (@codziac) August 29, 2023
Finally!! Advantage to india
— Sports Fan (@crazyforsports7) August 29, 2023
Who's playing then, Kishan or Sanju ??
— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) August 29, 2023
Means ishan kishan confrim for first 2 game
— Ashish Prajapati🇮🇳 (@Aash_prajapati) August 29, 2023
Big blow!
— bdcrictime.com (@BDCricTime) August 29, 2023
Get well soon, KL! We'll miss you in the first few games, but we're confident you'll be back stronger than ever. #TeamIndia
— Akshay Dargar (@avd714) August 29, 2023
Imagine Picking an injured player and debutant for important tournament instead of sanju samson
— Bailey.bit (@web2rug) August 29, 2023
Poor selection committee