KL Rahul won't be available for the match against Pakistan on Saturday: Rahul Dravid.
Ishan Kishan will take the field as the keeper-batter against Nepal and Pakistan.
The first two games of the Asia Cup 2023 would not
feature Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, said Indian head coach Rahul
Dravid. On September 2, India begins their campaign against Pakistan. On
September 4, they'll play against Nepal in their final group game.
“KL Rahul is progressing really will but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the Asia Cup Head Coach Rahul Dravid,” BCCI tweeted quoting head coach Dravid.
Dravid made the comments following India's final training session at Alur in Bengaluru.
UPDATEKL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid#TeamIndia— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2023
Rahul will therefore only be eligible if India advances to the Super 4 round. Ishan Kishan is expected to play for Nepal and Pakistan as the keeper-batter.
Rahul's availability for the first several games was never assured. The keeper, who was returning to the Indian team after a protracted injury layoff, was diagnosed with a "niggle" unrelated to his initial thigh and calf injury, according to BCCI head selector Ajit Agarkar.
Who Will Be the wicketkeeper?
Rohit Sharma, the captain, and coach Dravid will face interesting selection challenges as a result of Rahul's absence for the first two games. Rahul's accessibility is crucial for India's balance. In addition to keeping wickets, he also bats at the critical No. 5 position.
Sanju Samson is on the road as his backup, although
Ishan Kishan is most likely to wear the gloves in the playing XI. It will be
interesting to see where the left-hander bats in that scenario. India can
address all of their issues by just switching him and Rahul in the middle
order, and they also have the option of fielding a left-hander to break the
trend.
But Kishan is a pure opener who has experienced
difficulties when forced to bat lower in the order. Shubman
Gill would have to go down if they choose to open with Kishan and Rohit
Sharma. probably Virat Kohli as well. The idea of allowing Kohli to bat at
number four has already been put out by former head coach Ravi Shastri.
However, doing so would mean giving the world's best No. 3 fewer overs.
Additionally, it would put India's original batting order—with Iyer at number
four and Kohli at three—in in doubt.