KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are unlikely to be named to the Asia Cup 2023 squad, which is expected to be unveiled this week. According to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources, these two batsmen have not healed sufficiently to be considered for the August 30-September 17 continental competition.
Despite providing fitness updates on social media, sources believe both players are too young to compete in international competition. If they recover fully, they will be contenders for the ODI World Cup later this year. In this situation, the ODI series against Australia in September might act as their recuperation fixtures.
The absence of Rahul and Iyer means that the majority of the players who played in the recently finished three-match ODI series against the West Indies will most likely feature in the six-team competition in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and the indefatigable Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, will all return to the bowling assault.
Prasidh Krishna, who is coming after an extended injury layoff, is also being considered, but he may not make the cut owing to a lack of roster space. Ishan Kishan appears to be solidifying his spot as Asia Cup and World Cup wicketkeeper, however Rahul could also be in contention.
With the acquisition of Ishan, the team’s management will have to decide on the starting lineup when Rohit Sharma returns to the lineup. According to reports, Ishan and Rohit would bat first, with Shubman Gill, who batted first in the three ODIs against the West Indies, moving to the middle order. The final team composition and batting order will be chosen during the Asia Cup preparatory program, which runs from August 24 to August 29 in Bengaluru. India will meet 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, two of which will involve Pakistan, have been rescheduled. The highly awaited India-Pakistan match has reportedly been rescheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad, while Pakistan’s game against Sri Lanka has been rescheduled from October 12 to October 10. The following event will take place in Hyderabad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly been informed of these potential changes. Changes to the dates of New Zealand’s match against Bangladesh in Chennai on October 11 and England’s match against Afghanistan in Delhi on the same day are also probable, with confirmation expected in the coming days.