Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that KL Rahul will be unavailable for the first part of the upcoming Asia Cup and thus he will miss the big group stage match against Pakistan and also against Nepal.
Rahul was picked in the 17-man squad for the Asia Cup by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel despite suffering from a niggle.
In fact, Rahul was ruled out of action due to a thigh injury that he suffered while leading the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2023. However, Agarkar had confirmed that Rahul’s niggle is not related to his original injury and he should be fit for the second phase of the tournament – the Super Four, should India qualify.
Dravid said that Rahul has been training well in the camp in Alur and he is happy with the wicket-keeper’s progress.
“He has had a really good week here with us, trained well, done a lot of good things so he is progressing really well, the route that we wanted to take. But he will be unavailable for the first part, the Kandy leg of the trip. The NCA will be looking after him while we are travelling,” Dravid told reporters.
“We will reassess on the 4th, and then take it from there. But the signs are looking really good, and he is progressing really well,” Dravid added.
Along with KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, who has regained full fitness, will also be returning to the team. Dravid added he is not bothered about the duo as they have all the experience under their belt.
“From our perspective, it is just two less games that KL Rahul will miss. Both him and Shreyas are in the same boat. I mean, KL is batting really well, he is playing well, keeping well, doing everything well. It is just a slightly more cautious approach that we are taking with him leading into the World Cup, he will have a few match simulations over the course of the coming days.”
“We are hoping that it will just be the two matches that he will be missing. I am not worried about KL and Shreyas, they are experienced players,” he continued.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.
