India's new chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that India's star middle-order batter KL Rahul has suffered a fresh injury concern. The news was shared during the squad announcement press meet on August 21 and means that Rahul may be sidelined for the initial matches of the Asia Cup 2023 campaign.
This comes after both Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were named in India's 17-man squad, following their recovery from extensive injuries.
Highlighting the contingency plans, Agarkar stated that Sanju Samson has been drafted into the team as the back-up wicketkeeper. The decision to include the Kerala prodigy was primarily due to the injury scare Rahul faced at the National Cricket Academy recently.
In his debut press conference as the chairman of selectors in New Delhi, Agarkar provided some optimism surrounding Rahul's situation. He conveyed that Rahul is predicted to regain fitness by the 2nd or 3rd match of Asia Cup 2023.
"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 said in New Delhi.
"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.
It's noteworthy that Rahul's sporting activities were halted post-IPL 2023, courtesy of a thigh injury he sustained whilst fielding for the Lucknow Super Giant. This injury necessitated a surgical intervention in London. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer also faced a surgical procedure in response to a back injury, rendering him unavailable for the IPL 2023 and subsequent cricket series.
The Asia Cup is slated to commence on 30th August in Multan, and India is scheduled to inaugurate their campaign with a face-off against Pakistan on 2nd September in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
