Team India suffer huge setback as star player will miss IND vs PAK match, confirms Dravid

Team India will be playing without the services of wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul for first two matches of the Asia Cup 2023. India head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed the news during a press conference that Rahul will take no part in the India vs Pakistan clash on September 2.

"KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the AsiaCup2023," head Coach Rahul Dravid said. 

3 things you need to know

• KL Rahul will miss first two Asia Cup matches
• Rahul will not play in the India vs Pakistan match
• India begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan on September 2

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IND vs PAK: KL Rahul to miss first two Asia Cup matches

After an anxious period of anticipation owing to his fitness concerns, Rahul's selection for India's 2023 Asia Squad was confirmed last Monday. His recovery process followed a thigh injury sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May, which necessitated surgery. Rahul underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru before being added to the squad. 

UPDATE

KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the #AsiaCup2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid#TeamIndia

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2023

During the third day of India's training camp for the Asia Cup at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in Alur, Rahul was observed engaging in wicketkeeping drills. On the previous day, he underwent an extensive batting session, which was part of the team management's strategy of simulating match scenarios in preparation for the upcoming event. 

Nevertheless, the Indian team management seems inclined to prioritize caution regarding Rahul's injury, aiming to afford him ample time to recover before fielding him in the Asia Cup. Ishan Kishan will most likely get the nod to play in the first two games of the Asia Cup, against Pakistan and Nepal.

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Team India squad for Asia Cup 2023

Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Traveling stand-by player: Sanju Samson