KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are unlikely to be named to the Asia Cup 2023 squad, which will be unveiled this week. According to reports within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), these two batsmen have not healed sufficiently to be considered for the August 30-September 17 continental tournament.
Despite providing fitness updates on social media, sources say it is early for both sportsmen to compete in international competition. If they recover completely, they will be contenders for the ODI World Cup later this year. In this situation, the September ODI series against Australia might act as their recuperation fixtures.
The absence of Rahul and Iyer means that the majority of players who played in the recently finished three-match ODI series against the West Indies would most likely compete in the six-team competition in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and the unstoppable Jasprit Bumrah will all return to the bowling assault.
Prasidh Krishna, who is also returning after an extended injury layoff, is being considered, although he may not make the cut owing to a lack of roster space. Ishan Kishan appears to be solidifying his position as wicketkeeper not only for the Asia Cup but also for the World Cup, while Rahul could possibly be in contention.
With the acquisition of Ishan, the team’s management will have to decide on the opening combination when Rohit Sharma returns to the playing eleven. According to reports, Ishan and Rohit will begin the batting, while Shubman Gill, who opened in the three ODIs against the West Indies, may go to the middle order. The final team composition and batting order will be set during the Asia Cup preparatory program, which will take place from August 24 to 29 in Bengaluru. India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup opener on September 2.
Dates for Pakistan’s two World Cup games to be altered
In other developments, six World Cup matches, including two involving Pakistan, will be rescheduled. The highly awaited India-Pakistan match has reportedly been changed to October 14 in Ahmedabad, while Pakistan’s game against Sri Lanka has apparently been delayed from October 12 to October 10. The following event will be held in Hyderabad.
According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been informed of these potential changes. Changes to the scheduling of the New Zealand vs. Bangladesh encounter in Chennai on October 11 and the England vs. Afghanistan match in Delhi on the same day are also probable, with confirmation expected in the following days.
