Asia Cup 2023

‘Dukh, Dard, Peeda’ -Fans react as reports suggest call on KL Rahul’s Asia Cup availability to be taken based on his performance in practice game

KL Rahul has played 54 ODIs for India.

Aug 9, 2023 4:37 pm

KL Rahul has not gotten the Green signal about fitness from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ahead of Asia Cup 2023. Rahul will be declared fit based on how his participation fares in a practice game that will be played on either Sunday or Monday as per reports. India have had problems in the middle order recently. The batting has locked rickety and not at its best ahead of the World Cup. When it comes to Rahul, he has played the dual role of an opener and a middle-order batter for India.

A report from the Telegraph said how Rahul demonstrates readiness at the 50-over practice game and the recovery will determine his fate in the Asia Cup. Rahul had missed half of the Indian Premier League season in 2023 due to a tight injury. The wicketkeeper batter then went to England where he underwent surgery for his thigh. The NCA medical team wants to see how he comes through in a match before giving the national selectors the go-ahead to pick him in the Asia Cup squad. India play their first match on September 2, against Pakistan.

KL Rahul has previously played in the middle order for India

If Rahul passes the Test and is picked he would likely play the role of a middle-order batter and a wicket-keeper batter. Rahul has batted in the middle order in the past and scored runs for the national side. The absence of regular-wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant means Rahul has a window of opportunity to get back into the scheme of things. The Asia Cup will be co-hosted in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

In the 2019 World Cup, there was a middle-order muddle for India as the number four spot was not sealed. Ambati Rayudu was looked as the frontrunner then, but he was pushed to the reserves and Vijay Shankar was given the go-ahead because of his three-dimensional skills. The no 4 spot has been a very tricky issue for the Men in Blue in ODIs and T20Is. Rahul recently posted videos of him doing batting and wicketkeeping drills.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:

KL's availability is so so key for India.
Keeper and a reliable no. 5 will be sorted which is a big headache right now

— Sridhar Agrawal (@agrawal_sridhar) August 9, 2023