KL Rahul Dravid, the head coach of India, announced on Tuesday that Rahul would be unable to play in the opening two games of the 2023 Asia Cup (August 29). According to Dravid, Rahul is making good progress in his recovery after a protracted absence due to an injury, but he won’t be travelling with the team to Sri Lanka for the group games.
According to Live Cricket Score, Rahul did recover in time to be selected in India’s squad for the Asia Cup despite missing the entire IPL this year due to injury. Ajit Agarkar, the tournament’s chief selector, had earlier suggested that the 31-year-old might skip at least the first game of the competition. Rahul recently participated in India’s skills camp at Alur and batted without any obvious discomfort. However, a cautious approach has been taken.
On Saturday, September 2, in Pallekele, India will play Pakistan in their opening match before facing Nepal on Monday in the other group match. If India qualifies, Dravid stated that a decision regarding Rahul’s participation in the Super Fours would be made on September 4. Ishan Kishan, the backup wicketkeeper-batter, is already in the lineup, and Sanju Samson is also there as a reserve traveller.
The Kandy leg of the trip will be without him, Dravid said. “He has had a really good week with us, trained well, and is progressing well on the route we want to take. “For the next few days, while we are travelling, the NCA will take care of him. On the fourth, we will reevaluate, and we will proceed from there. But he is making excellent progress, and the signs are encouraging.”
