Team India's star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is set to miss the Men in Blue's opening Asia Cup match against arch-rivals Pakistan. Sports Tak has learned that Rahul is still recovering from a niggle and there is a big doubt about his participation against Pakistan. The right-handed batter worked on his craft for an hour in the net but the biggest challenge for him continues to be wicket-keeping. With still time on hand, Rahul might target to regain full fitness before the clash against Nepal.
"KL Rahul has a niggle and is likely to miss the first game against Pakistan in Asia Cup," a source told Sports Tak.
"Since Rahul is recovering from niggle he might miss the first match and begin his campaign from the match against Nepal. He is batting in nets and showing good signs of recovery but keeping wickets looks tough. He is still not fully fit. The medical team is working on him and there is time in hand. It will depend on his recovery and we hope he recovers soon," the source added.
Selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar revealed the news of Rahul's injury during the press conference for the Asia Cup squad announcement.
"Shreyas Iyer has been declared completely fit. KL Rahul, in the last few days, not his original injury, but he has picked up a niggle," Agarkar had said.
"That's why Sanju Samson is at the moment travelling with us. But the physios, I am sure, will get a report, at some stage, they are all expected to be fit. If not at the start of the Asia Cup, probably from the 2nd and 3rd games (Rahul to be fit). He is well on track. Shreyas Iyer has been passed fit. Two important teams for us. We don't have to pick the World Cup team till September 5. That gives us more time," he added.
India squad for Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna
Reserve player: Sanju Samson.
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