Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has done extended batting and wicketkeeping drills on Day 3 of the preparatory camp in Alur, Bangalore. The 31-year-old will be crucial for the team’s success in the continental event, as he can solve the middle-order woes of India’s team in the Asia Cup 2023.
Earlier, India chief selector Ajit Agarkar gave a worrisome update about the injury of KL Rahul in the team, with him picking up a fresh niggle ahead of the Asia Cup 2023, as his selection for the event came under criticism. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are coming into the team after a long-standing injury to the team for the high-octane event in Sri Lanka.
According to reports, comeback man KL Rahul was seen taking part in wicket-keeping drills on Day 3 of the preparatory camp in Alur alongside batting with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on the central pitch as part of a match simulation going into the Asia Cup 2023. It was said that KL Rahul batted without much discomfort in the middle running between the wickets.
Earlier, Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that KL Rahul has suffered a niggle unrelated to his thigh injury, and it was said that the wicket-keeper batter is likely to miss out few games in the Asia Cup, as Sanju Samson is picked up as a back-up option in the team for the marquee event.
KL Rahul’s batting has helped the Indian team to play four frontline batters at the top of the orders as he plays the role of the finisher alongside Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in the lower order down the order and is likely to take up the crucial No.5 spot in the middle order.
According to reports in Star Sports, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma are set to join the team after the team following completion of the three-match Ireland series and they will join the practice session in the next few days to get themselves ready for the Asia Cup 2023.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was seen taking wicket-keeping drills alongside the Indian fielding coach, as he is likely to take up the wicket-keeping duty for the Indian team in the absence of KL Rahul and Kerala wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson would be the backup option in the team for the Asia Cup 2023.