KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are unlikely to be selected for the Asia Cup 2023 squad that will be announced this week. According to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), these two batsmen have not sufficiently recovered to be considered for the August 30-September 17 continental championship.
Despite sharing fitness updates on social media, insiders believe it is premature for both athletes to participate in international competition. If they make a full recovery, they remain contenders for the ODI World Cup later this year. In this case, the September ODI series against Australia could serve as their recovery fixtures.
The absence of Rahul and Iyer suggests that the majority of players who participated in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against West Indies will likely participate in the six-team tournament scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and the indomitable Jasprit Bumrah will all return to the bowling attack.
Prasidh Krishna, who is also returning from a lengthy injury layoff, is being considered, but he may not make the cut due to a dearth of a roster spot. Ishan Kishan appears to be securing his position as wicketkeeper not only for the Asia Cup but also for the World Cup, although Rahul could also be in contention.
With the addition of Ishan, the team management will have to determine the opening combination when Rohit Sharma returns to the playing eleven. Indications are that Ishan and Rohit will open the batting, while Shubman Gill, who opened in the three ODIs against West Indies, may move to the middle order. During the Asia Cup preparation program scheduled from August 24 to 29 in Bengaluru, the ultimate team composition and batting order will be determined. On September 2, India will play Pakistan in the Asia Cup’s opening match.
Dates for Pakistan’s two World Cup games to be altered
In other news, it has been disclosed that six World Cup matches, including two involving Pakistan, will be rescheduled. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match has purportedly been moved to October 14 in Ahmedabad, while Pakistan’s game against Sri Lanka has reportedly been moved from October 12 to October 10. The location of the subsequent event will remain Hyderabad.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been informed of these prospective alterations. Alterations to the schedules of the New Zealand vs. Bangladesh match in Chennai on October 11 and the England vs. Afghanistan match in Delhi on the same day are also possible, with confirmation anticipated in the coming days.
