Former Indian chief selector Kris Srikkanth slammed the Indian team management for picking half-fit KL Rahul in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2023. It has been confirmed that the Indian wicketkeeper-batter will miss out on the first game of India due to a niggle and is likely to be available for the team from the second game.
They were a lot of questions about the match fitness of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer as they will return to competitive cricket after a long-standing injury and the selectors have named Sanju Samson as a backup wicket-keeper in the team for the continental event in Sri Lanka.
“It’s being said that KL Rahul has a niggle. If you have a niggle, don’t pick him in the squad. If a player is not fit during selection, you shouldn’t pick him. That was our policy. On the day of selection, if a player is not fit, don’t select him”.
“If you want to pick him for the World Cup, select him for the World Cup. That’s a different issue. Now they are saying that he might play after a couple of matches and that’s why we have picked Sanju Samson as a travelling reserve. What’s all this,” Kris Srikkanth said.
KL Rahul has been out of action since May 2023 after suffering a thigh injury and the wicket-keeper is expected to walk into the playing 11 once he is fully fit as he showed his ability to bat and finish games for India in the ODI format of the game.
They Are Still Unsure About The World Cup Squad – Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth feels that India should treat Asia Cup as a separate premier tournament rather than looking at the preparation stage for the ODI World Cup in India and feels that the selection committee should set a policy in the team selection.
“You’re playing Asia Cup which is also a premier tournament. We haven’t qualified for the Asia Cup (final) over the last two editions. You have to qualify for the final and perform well. They are still unsure about the World Cup squad. You’re confused. You need to have something called a selection policy,” Kris Srikkanth added.
Team India will be one of the favourites to win the continental championship in Sri Lanka, as they have got a formidable unit to perform well in the sub-continental conditions. The Men in Blue will look to try and test of few players before finalizing their squad for the ODI World Cup in India.