In what can be termed as a blow to the Indian team, ace batter and keeper KL Rahul is set to miss the crucial Asia Cup 2023 clash against Pakistan on September 2nd in Kandy, Sri Lanka, India coach Rahul Dravid confirmed on August 29, 2023.
KL Rahul was named in the Indian Asia Cup squad along with Shreyas Iyer, both of whom returned from surgeries. While Shreyas Iyer had suffered from back issues since March 2023 and had to undergo surgery, Rahul had suffered a hip flexor injury in the IPL 2023 tournament while playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
After he was named in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar had revealed that while the NCA doctors gave Rahul the all-clear, he had picked up a fresh niggle and might miss a few games at the start of the Asia Cup tournament.
Hence Sanju Samson was picked in the squad as a traveling reserve.
KL Rahul To Miss Pakistan And Nepal Group A Matches In Asia Cup
KL Rahul was seen training with the Indian team in Alur in the 6-day prep camp ahead of flying to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup 2023 and while he was not seen in any distress, the BCCI on August 29, 2023, has confirmed that the Karnataka player will miss both the group A matches that India will play.
India’s head coach Rahul Dravid provided the update on Rahul in a press conference. India is set to play Pakistan on September 2, followed by a game against Nepal on 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 #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid,” BCCI tweeted.
UPDATE
KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid#TeamIndia
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2023
“The NCA will be looking after him for the next few days while we are travelling. We will reassess on 4th September and then take it from there. Signs are looking good and he is progressing really well,” Dravid added.