Team India’s key batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are out of contention for selection in the Asia Cup 2023 squad as per reports. On the other hand, pacer Jasprit Bumrah who hasn’t played for the Men in Blue since September 2022 is likely to make a return to the side.
Shreyas Iyer couldn’t participate in the IPL 2023 season as well due to his back injury while KL Rahul suffered a hamstring injury during the RCB vs LSG on May 1. He then missed out on the remaining games of the cash-rich league.
KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer set to miss Asia Cup 2023
Shreyas Iyer was a key part of the Indian middle order both in the Test and ODI formats before he got injured in the month of February. He couldn’t participate in the first test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia due to a back injury after which the Indian Team was forced to play Suryakumar Yadav in his place.
After the recurrence of the back injury, Iyer underwent surgery on his back stress fracture. Currently, there’s no update about his recovery and as per reports, it would be difficult for him to get 100% fitness ahead of the Asia Cup 2023.
KL Rahul too underwent a thigh injury and is currently at the NCA in Bangalore and is continuing his rehabilitation. It’s highly unlikely for the keeper-batter to complete his recovery by the month of August.
On the other hand, speedster Jasprit Bumrah is 70% fit and is likely to make a return in the ODI squad as per the reports. Bumrah hasn’t played for Team India since September 2022 and might feature in the series against Ireland ahead of the Asia Cup.
Bumrah will play a few practice matches in Bengaluru and the BCCI will assess his fitness and will take a call on his participation. The Asia Cup will be played in the month of September as the Indian Team will look to play their full-strength squad considering the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Team India will also miss the services of their keeper-batter Rishabh Pant. With both Pant and KL Rahul out of contention for the selection in the Asia Cup 2023 squad, Sanju Samson might get an extended run in the middle order. The Men in Blue also have the option to play Ishan Kishan who usually plays in the top order.