Indian captain Rohit Sharma has shared an update on the potential comeback of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer ahead of the Asia Cup 2023. Both players have been diligently working on their recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), raising hopes of their return to the team.
The absence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer has been a significant concern for the Indian team, particularly in the middle order. While Iyer has been sidelined due to a back injury, Rahul has been recuperating from a thigh injury. Both players underwent surgeries and have been undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. However, no definitive timeline has been provided for their return to the squad.
Reports have suggested that India may adopt a cautious approach and not rush their inclusion for the Asia Cup 2023, focusing instead on having them fully fit for the ICC World Cup 2023. This strategy was hinted at during the ODIs against West Indies, where the team experimented with various combinations but faced challenges.
Speaking about the upcoming Asia Cup, Rohit Sharma expressed his desire to secure victory while also seeking answers to crucial questions. He emphasized the importance of players performing under pressure against quality opponents.
Rohit Sharma shared, “We want to win, but there are several unanswered questions that we need to address. In the Asia Cup, I want to witness our players batting under pressure against formidable teams. It’s essential to have a diverse pool of players rather than relying solely on a few names. Fitness is the top priority, and I hope they recover in time.”
Providing insights into KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s recovery, Rohit Sharma revealed that both players have been undergoing intensive rehabilitation at the NCA for the past four months. He expressed optimism about their progress and mentioned, “They have been dedicatedly working at the NCA, and the signs are promising. We are keeping our fingers crossed for their return.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted a group of players for the Asia Cup and World Cup, and the final 15-member squad will be determined based on performances. The potential return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer could bolster India’s middle-order strength and add depth to the team’s batting lineup.
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India’s Potential Squad for Asia Cup and World Cup:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Surykumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal