The possibility of their return for the Asia Cup remains uncertain. This raises a significant concern for Team India regarding who will assume the number four batting position and wicketkeeping duties for the World Cup 2023. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are working to recover in time for the Continental Cup. However, if they fail to participate in the six-nation event, their prospects of securing a spot in the ODI World Cup squad appear quite dim.
While there’s a high probability that Rahul will participate in the Asia Cup, uncertainties persist about Shreyas Iyer due to lingering back issues, despite having undergone surgery. Rahul’s wicketkeeping skills and his number five batting position contribute to the team’s stability. Iyer, based on his impressive ODI performances last year, has been considered for the crucial number four spot.
Also read: Tilak Varma to Pip Shreyas Iyer for Number 4 Slot in World Cup 2023
However, if both Rahul and Iyer are unable to make it to the Asia Cup, India faces a familiar predicament – lacking solid options for numbers four and five to support Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In the absence of Shreyas and Rahul, fringe players such as Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav have tried out for the role, but none have managed to convincingly fill the void.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, ahead of Shreyas and Rahul’s inclusion in the Continental Cup team, they are scheduled to participate in two practice matches at the NCA. Rahul shared a video displaying his batting and wicketkeeping skills, but the outlook for Shreyas seems less promising. The NCA seems uncertain about Shreyas’s chances of joining the Asia Cup due to his incomplete recovery, as he is not yet back to full fitness.