In a setback for the Indian cricket team, KL Rahul is set to miss the first two matches of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 due to a lingering fitness concern. Rahul Dravid, the head coach, officially confirmed this news during a recent press conference, revealing that the right-handed batsman won’t be available for the opening clashes against Pakistan and Nepal.
The 31-year-old opener had been sidelined from competitive cricket since May due to a thigh injury but had made a successful recovery and was included in the Asia Cup squad. However, while undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, he encountered an unrelated fitness issue, delaying his return to the field.
“KL Rahul has had a productive week with us, showing promising progress. However, he’ll be unavailable for the initial part of our journey in Kandy,” remarked Dravid, who also expressed optimism about Rahul’s swift recovery and return to action.
In Rahul’s absence, Ishan Kishan is expected to take on wicket-keeping responsibilities during the group-stage matches, scheduled for September 2nd and 4th in Sri Lanka. Additionally, India has a contingency plan with the inclusion of Sanju Samson, who will accompany the team as a reserve player for this prestigious tournament, providing a reliable backup option behind the stumps.
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