'That's no no': Ravi Shastri firmly tells Rohit-Rahul to not pick India star in playing XI

The Indian cricket team under the leadership of Rohit Sharma will face a tough challenge ahead of ODI World Cup 2023 in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The 'Men in Blue' will lock horns with world-class Asian teams like Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 starting from August 30, 2023. The reason behind the same is injury issues to many key players like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. 

3 things you need to know 

• Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have been going through their rehabilitation period in NCA, Bengaluru
• Both the players have started batting practice, but a clear update regarding their fitness has not been issued 
• The Indian team will begin its Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan on September 2, 2023 

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Ravi Shastri doesn't want KL Rahul in Team India's Asia Cup playing XI 

(Indian cricket team batters Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul / Image: BCCI) 

Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri doesn't see batter KL Rahul as a part of the Indian team's playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023. Rahul sustained a thigh injury in the mid-season of the Indian Premier League 2023 and also underwent surgery in London in the first week of May 2023. As an official report on July 19, 2023, Rahul was back in the nets of the NCA but his chances to play in the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup are still under speculation. Ravi Shastri said during a discussion on Star Sports' Selection Day show: 

See when when you're talking of a player (KL Rahul) who's not played and is recovering from injury. To think of him in the XI of the Asia Cup, you're asking a little too much of the player himself. And then you're talking keeping. When a guy comes from an injury, the range of movement and things of that sort, so that's a no no. 

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KL Rahul like to like replacement for Rishabh Pant 

KL Rahul will be the Indian team management's first choice as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the ODI World Cup 2023 if he gains fitness. The team management has been searching for a like-to-like replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant, and Rahul will be a good replacement for the left-handed batter.