As India gears up for a high-stakes Super Four match in the 2023 Asia Cup, cricket enthusiasts are in for a shocker. Contrary to expectations, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul won’t be part of the starting lineup to face Pakistan in this crucial encounter.
The Indian cricket team secured their berth in the Super Fours with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Nepal earlier in the tournament. However, this impressive win has sparked debates about the batting order, particularly in the middle order.
KL Rahul, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, is on the mend and is set to rejoin the squad for the Super Four stage. However, his return doesn’t guarantee an immediate spot in the playing XI. The emergence of Ishan Kishan, the young wicketkeeper-batter, has given the management food for thought. Kishan’s outstanding performance in ODIs, highlighted by a remarkable fourth consecutive fifty during India’s Asia Cup opener against Pakistan, has raised questions about the batting lineup.
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Shreyas Iyer, initially seen as a linchpin in the middle order, faced a slump in the first match against Pakistan. On the other hand, KL Rahul missed both encounters against Pakistan and Nepal due to his injury. Given these circumstances, the team management has decided to go with Ishan Kishan, who has been in blistering form and may introduce Tilak Varma into the playing XI as well. He has been in red-hot form since the last series against West Indies.
The decision to bench two prominent players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul reflects the depth of talent in the Indian cricket squad. Cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting this exciting clash to see if the management’s surprising choice pays off against arch-rivals Pakistan.
