Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri reckons KL Rahul should be out of India’s grand scheme of things for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup 2023. KL Rahul has been practising at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He is expected to be included in India’s squad for the major tournaments. Asia Cup 2023 is just two weeks away from going all guns blazing, with the first game slated to be played on August 31.
Team India will kick-start their campaign on September 2. They will lock horns with their arch-rivals, Pakistan. Meanwhile, the former India’s chief coach reckons that it is not advisable to bring KL Rahul straightaway into the mix since he didn’t play any form of competitive cricket for quite a long time. The right-handed batsman was last seen playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League.
KL Rahul sustained an injury while patrolling at the boundary rope against Royal Challengers Bangalore. As a result, he was ruled out of the tournament. Rahul must play a few more games before returning to international cricket. The Bengaluru-born has resumed batting practice as he prepares for his national comeback after injury.
Ravi Shastri explains why KL Rahul shouldn’t be in India’s plans for Asia Cup 2023
Former India’s head coach is aware of the fact that KL Rahul was last seen in cricketing action in March. He has been out of competitive cricket for close to five months now. Team India will be needing someone to keep the wickets. However, it would be too much of a workload for KL Rahul, when he is straightaway added to the squad.
“See when you’re talking of a player (KL Rahul) who’s not played and is recovering from injury. To think of him in the XI of the Asia Cup, you’re asking a little too much of the player himself. And then you’re talking about wicket-keeping. When a guy comes from an injury, the range of movement and things of that sort, so that’s a no-no,” Ravi Shastri explained on Star Sports, according to India Today.
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Meanwhile, Team India have been dealing with middle-order issues for a long time now. The team’s No.4 conundrum still remains unsolved and it remains to be seen how the Men in Blue approach the Asia Cup this time around. Previously, they failed to operate as a team and were blown to bits. India are the most successful team in Asia Cup history with seven titles and they will be looking forward to making a bid for the 8th title.
