Ashish Ranjan
KL Rahul is poised to join the Indian squad in Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup 2023 after passing his fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Reports indicate that Rahul will be available for selection beginning with the Super 4 stage. Since suffering an injury while fielding in Match 43 of the IPL 2023 between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the 31-year-old has been out of action.
Rahul missed the 2023 World Test Championship final due to successful surgery on his injured quadriceps and hip. He then underwent rehabilitation at the NCA and was selected for the Asia Cup 2023 squad. However, just a few days prior to his selection, the wicketkeeper-batsman sustained a new injury while participating in match simulations and practice games.
Rahul did not travel with the team to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup 2023 and instead remained at the NCA as a “precautionary measure” in advance of the ODI World Cup 2023 beginning in India on October 5. Rahul Dravid, the head coach, and Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, both mentioned Rahul’s absence from the first few games of the continental tournament.
And now, according to a report in RevSportz, he has passed the NCA’s physical fitness exam and will join the Indian team in Kandy. According to the report, Rahul will be available for selection beginning with the Super 4 stage.
Ishan Kishan excelled at batting in Rahul’s absence
In Rahul’s absence, Ishan Kishan gladly embraced the role of middle order batsman in India’s first match against Pakistan. The southpaw played a magnificent innings of 82 off 81 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes.
Kishan forged a crucial 138-run partnership with Hardik Pandya (87 off 90 balls) for the fifth wicket and enabled India recover from 66/4 to 266 all out. However, cricket enthusiasts were left disappointed as the game was rained out at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, due to inclement weather. India will face Nepal on Monday, September 4, at the same venue, and must win or tie in order to advance to the Super 4 stage of the competition.
