Why KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer is not a certainty in Indian squad for upcoming Asia Cup? | Report
Xtra Time Web Desk: All eyes will be on KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, whether they get picked in the Indian squad for Asia Cup 2023 or not. Both seemed to have recovered from their injuries but the selectors want to be sure about their match fitness before taking a final call.
According to a report in Indian Express, Rahul's return to the national cricket squad appears to face further delay as the senior selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to omit him from the roster for the upcoming Asia Cup. This decision is attributed to the need for a thorough assessment of Rahul's fitness following his recent right thigh surgery, as well as Shreyas Iyer's return from a back injury. Both players have been eager to make a comeback to competitive cricket, but the committee is prioritizing their fitness evaluations.
To facilitate this assessment, the selection committee has summoned Nitin Patel, the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) responsible for sports science and medicine. Patel will provide updates on the fitness of not only Rahul and Iyer but also Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently in Ireland. The selectors are keen to determine whether Rahul and Iyer are fully match-fit, particularly for the demands of 50-over games where the intensity can be high, to avoid any potential post-injury setbacks.
The committee is cautious about rushing both players back into high-level cricket like the Asia Cup without adequate preparation. They are mindful of past instances where players suffered injuries shortly after returning to international cricket. Additionally, Iyer's inclusion may depend on the Indian team management's plans, as the team has struggled to settle on a number four batsman since his injury, even experimenting with Suryakumar Yadav in that role during the West Indies tour.
