It’s almost time for World Cup 2023. But as India prepare for the biggest tournament with Asia Cup 2023 being the competition for dress rehearsal, India Cricket Team is still waiting for important injury updates. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will have fitness tests this week and based on that a final call will be taken. Once, there is clarity on the two batters, Ajit Agarkar-led committee will announce Asia Cup 2023 Squad by Monday.
“We are waiting for a couple of injury updates. KL and Shreyas are 80% fit but aren’t yet match-fit. We expect an assessment report by Saturday. Once we have more clarity, the squad will be announced,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
While things seemed to go pretty well for KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, Ajit Agarkar conveyed to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma that, they should plan for Asia Cup 2023 without the star duo.
Agarkar was in Barbados along with Salil Ankola with the squad. Both had a discussion with Rohit and Rahul on Asia Cup combinations as well as the squad.
“Ajit met Rohit and Rahul and had a detailed discussion regarding plans for Asia Cup. As both of them were still 50-50, the team management decided to give game time to Surya and Sanju in ODIs,” the official added.
Asia Cup 2023 Camp to decide fate:
However, more than Asia Cup 2023, the concern is whether both will be fit by then. As things stand, they will be. Both will be in the Asia Cup camp between August 24-29 a the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. They will be with the entire squad.
Even though the Asia Cup squad submission deadline is August 15, there can be late changes with approval from the technical committee. As India take on Pakistan on September 2, a late change is possible 7 days prior. It will fall well within the camp.
“We are very sure that both of them will be fit for World Cup. They may very well be fit by the time Asia Cup begins. But we won’t be rushing them. Rahul should be fine in three weeks’ time. As for Shreyas, we will know more in the next two days,” the official said.
India Asia Cup Squad: All you need to know
- Even though the Asia Cup squad deadline is August 15, the squad should be announced by Monday.
- The squad is ready barring two crucial players — Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul.
- BCCI Selection Committee is waiting for an injury assessment report on both.
- Even though both have begun practising, they are only 80% fit. And there will be clarity only close to the tournament.
- The entire Asia Cup squad will assemble at the NCA for a camp between August 24-29.
- KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will also join the camp.
- But as both of them will be without any matches before facing Pakistan on Sep 2, the selectors want to ready backups.
- Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav are the two backups along with Ishan Kishan. However, chances are high that Sanju won’t be there in the WC if Rahul and Iyer both return.
- Another injury-returnee Jasprit Bumrah is fit and ready to go while Mohammad Shami is also set to return.
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