Debasis Sen, Dubai: KL Rahul along with Manish Pandey and Ravindra Jadeja is in line to get a place in the playing XI for the Asia Cup Super 4 clash against Bangladesh at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday. Both Rahul and Pandey had a knock in the nets today evening at the ICC Academy. The team management may try either of them against the Tigers since the batting will be weakened by the injury to Hardik. With Kedar Jadhav coming good with the ball against Pakistan last night, the team management may be influenced to try out either Pandey or Rahul before the big clash coming up against Pakistan on September 23.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who joined the squad at night may also be in contention for a place in the playing XI. The left arm spinner may make his ODI comeback after being included in the squad following injuries to Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur in the ongoing Asia Cup in UAE. Seamers Deepak Chahar and Siddarth Kaul have also been included in the squad as replacements for the injured trio.
Both Chahar and Kaul played in the ODI series against England. Chahar was included in the squad because of his big-hitting abilities like Hardik. He also had an impressive IPL season for champions Chennai Super Kings, picking up 10 wickets in 12 games at an economy of 7.28.
The team management might now be forced to tinker with the combination in the Super 4 stage following Pandya’s injury. Jadeja’s inclusion will certainly shore up the batting line-up but that would mean the attack will wear a spin heavy look. While Chahar can come in as the third seamer and can be entrusted with the task of bowling 10 overs, it remains to be seen how much confidence the management has in his abilities as a potential No. 7.
Pandya suffered an acute lower back spasm during India’s group game against Pakistan on Wednesday. In his follow through while bowling the 18th over of the innings, Pandya seemed to have felt something in his back. He then lay flat on the ground for a long time as players surrounded and checked on him. Indian physio Patrick Farhart ran out to attend to the all-rounder, after which he had to be stretchered off.
Pandya is being monitored by the BCCI medical staff. He was seen taking pictures with the fans at the lobby of the team hotel on Wednesday. All the three will leave Dubai on Thursday.