'It is going to be tough for him': Sunil Gavaskar gives hard-hitting verdict on KL Rahul

With the onset of the marquee tournament i.e., Asia Cup 2023, Team India received a major boost in the form of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul's return to the side. Both have endured a huge injury layoff and it is expected that they will get some match time before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 squad selection. While Shreyas Iyer is almost certain to have a place in the playing XI, a similar cannot be stated about KL Rahul. Ahead of the India vs. Pakistan game, Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid provided a fitness update of KL Rahul and revealed that he will not play the first two matches of the continental team and won't travel with the team. Moreover, his situation will be assessed again and based on the development a decision on him will be taken.

3 things you need to know

• Asia Cup 2023 has begun
• KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been added to the squad
• India will take on Pakistan on September 2, 2023

READ: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup Live updates: Will rain play the spoilsport in the encounter?

KL Rahul's plight continues

The Asia Cup 2023 has arrived and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is more or less just a month away, yet the obscurity regarding Kl Rahul's isn't clearing away. The right-hander suffered an unfortunate injury during the IPL 2023 season and underwent considerable recovery time to finally recuperate. However, at the crucial period, Rahul has endured a niggle and courtesy of that his participation in the Asia Cup 2023 is uncertain. 

Sunil Gavaskar puts forward the hard reality regarding KL Rahul

India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar pays heed to Kl Rahul's situation and said that his World Cup spot could be in danger.

"You know, mostly, I think the fact that he's not gone is possibly because of the fact that he wants treatment to be continued at the hands of the same physios who have been treating him at the NCA. But then, yes, I think it's a tricky situation because if he's not playing any game before the 5th of September, how do you assess his situation? Because practice match is one thing and match fitness is another thing. So, I think it's gonna be a tough call for the selection committee," he said on the eve of India's Asia Cup opener against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Stadium.

READ: 'I feel for sure': R Ashwin makes big India vs Pakistan prediction ahead of Asia Cup match

"But maybe, you might get the answer in the first two matches itself. In which case, you might have to look beyond Rahul, but that's gonna be sad, but that's the reality."

"Because you can't take chances with him. I'm all for taking him because of the fact that he's always been a classy player. But if it is not going to be seen in a match situation, before the World Cup squad is announced, I think it is going to be tough for him to be in the World Cup squad," said Gavaskar.