Team India management will be taking a cautious approach with the players who are making a comeback after a long injury as they do not want any untoward incident in the run-up to the 2023 ODI World Cup. Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul is the latest name to make the squad after a successful recovery. He was injured midway through the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and has been out of action since then.
When he was named in the Asia Cup squad, he could not travel with the team due to a different problem. Rahul will be available for Team India’s matches from the Super Four stage itself.
His injury has obviously affected his ability to keep wickets for long periods of time, which has improved significantly in recent times. A source told The Times of India
“There has been no complaint when he bats. It’s while squatting that he has been feeling his hamstring. That has got much better in the past week. He will join the team for the Colombo leg of the Asia Cup. The World Cup team is likely to be announced in a day or two.”
In the absence of KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan has done a great job in the middle order as the team’s wicketkeeper. The left-handed batsman scored a brilliant half-century under pressure against Pakistan and is in good form after a brilliant series against West Indies. The source confirmed that Ishan Kishan is seen as a backup wicketkeeping option and will ease the players who are gradually returning
“Ishan is seen as a back-up opener and a wicket-keeping option who can also bat at No. 5. The team management will be very cautious while pushing the players who are coming back from long injury layoffs. It doesn’t want any of the players getting injured right before the World Cup as that can disrupt their plans in a big way. The three-ODI series against Australia at home this month will be a fair indicator.”
Ishan will have another chance to impress in the middle order in Team India’s upcoming Asia Cup 2023 group-stage contest against Nepal on Monday.
Also read: Aakash Chopra Says Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, And Virat Kohli Need To Score Runs Against Nepal
Team India Set To Be without Jasprit Bumrah for The Nepal Clash
The Men in Blue will have to make at least one change in their playing XI from the Pakistan encounter as fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has returned home due to personal reasons. The fast bowler is likely to be available for the team’s matches in the Super Four stage if India completes the formalities by defeating Nepal in their final group match.
Rohit Sharma and Co. are currently second on the Asia Cup points table after getting a point due to the cancellation of the match against Pakistan on Saturday. Pakistan has already qualified for the Super Four while Nepal is at the bottom with no points so far.
