Ashish Ranjan
Both the NCA and the BCCI are uncertain as to when players such as Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer will be completely healthy and available for selection. Notably, all of the aforementioned cricketers are currently recuperating and have begun training, but their return date is not yet certain.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that India’s star batsman KL Rahul will miss the upcoming Asia Cup, which could jeopardize his position in the playing XI for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Notably, the first baseman sustained a quadriceps injury while playing for the Lucknow Super Giants in the recently concluded Indian Premier League and subsequently underwent surgery in London.
The cricketer is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA, but according to Cricbuzz, he may require additional time to reclaim full fitness and will therefore be unavailable for the upcoming continental Cup.
In his absence, India will likely give Sanju Samson a longer run in the lineup, as they need a batsman who can control the situation in the middle overs. After Pant’s injury, Rahul performed admirably at number five, but his injury has opened the way for Samson, who has scored 330 runs for India in only 11 ODIs. Ishan Kishan is another option, but he is better adapted as an opener; therefore, the cricketer from Kerala has a good chance of proving his worth and claiming the number five position in the near future.
Also See | India to undergo one-week training camp before West Indies Tests
Bumrah is anticipated to play upcoming practice matches.
In the past, Jasprit Bumrah’s absence has hampered the Indian team, so the team management is desperate for him to return before the ODI World Cup. The pacer is likely to play in the Ireland series, but his participation will depend heavily on how well he recovers. Currently, he is said to be 70% fit, and the board is hesitant to hurry him back into action.
The 29-year-old’s return hinges on his performance in a handful of practice matches he will play in Bengaluru. His physical fitness is continuously monitored, and his time management will also be observed by his trainers.
