- Thursday, February 27, 2025
The 31-year-old wicket-keeper-batter was set to make a comeback in international cricket from an injury after nearly six months.
By: Shubham Ghosh
ACE India wicket-keeper-batter KL Rahul has been ruled out of the first two matches of the upcoming Asia Cup tournament which will begin in Multan on Wednesday (30) with a game between co-hosts Pakistan and debutantes Nepal.
India head coach Rahul Dravid said on the same day that the 31-year-old batter, who was picked for the tournament after recovering from injury, will not be available for the group matches against archrivals Pakistan (September 2) and Nepal (September 4).
UPDATE
KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid#TeamIndia
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2023
During the announcement of the squad led by Rohit Sharma, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar told the media that Rahul was suffering from a slight niggle.
“KL has had a good week with us, playing well, progressing really well but he will be unavailable for the first part for the Kandy leg of the trip,” Dravid said at a press conference on the eve of the Indian squad’s departure for Sri Lanka where the former champions will play all their games in the tournament.
“The NCA (National Cricket Academy) will be looking after him for the next few days while we are travelling. We will reassess on the 4th (September) and take it from there. But signs are looking good. He will be unavailable for the first two games,” Dravid added.
Rahul last appeared for India in a Test match against Australia at home in March this year.
The former India captain also said batter Shreyas Iyer, who is also making a comeback from injury, is fit and “ticked all boxes” during the practice session.
“Shreyas Iyer has ticked all the boxes in the practice session. We’ll give him game time in the Asia Cup,” Dravid added.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Board of Control for Cricket in India wrote, “KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid.”
India have won the tournament seven times but failed to make the final in the 2022 edition which was won by Sri Lanka who beat Pakistan in the title round.
Bangladesh and Afghanistan are also in the fray besides India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
