India head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed that their star batter KL Rahul will be missing the team's first two games of the Asia Cup 2023, keeping in line with Sports Tak's previous report.
India start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday, September 2 in Pallekele, and then play Nepal on Monday, September 4.
"KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the Asia Cup 2023," he said in the press conference after India's training session in Alur on Tuesday, August 29.
"He's playing quite well. We're just being cautious. He will only miss two matches. He will have the remaining matches of the Asia Cup and the Australia series before the World Cup," he added.
Despite this news, there was some positive for the wicketkeeper-batter, who was spotted taking part in an intense practice session in the ongoing training camp in Bengaluru.
The Sports Tak on August 26 (Saturday) reported that Rahul is facing a significant amount of trouble while keeping wickets because of the niggle he had picked up earlier during rehabilitation. In the video that is doing rounds on social media, Rahul was seen working on glove work and he looked at ease during practice.
Selection committee new 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.
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