Shreyas Iyer’s Anticipated Comeback and KL Rahul’s Absence: An Update on the Asia Cup 2023
Recent developments regarding KL Rahul’s injury have placed Shreyas Iyer in the limelight as the promising batter aims for a notable return after his prolonged injury hiatus.
Star Sports, the official broadcaster for the Asia Cup 2023 in India, sparked discussions last week on KL Rahul’s budding injury issue. Although initial reports suggested it wasn’t serious, BCCI’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, confirmed fans’ apprehensions. Following the squad announcement in New Delhi, in a meeting graced by captain Rohit Sharma, Agarkar indicated Rahul’s absence from the Asia Cup group-stage matches. The news was subsequently validated by India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, after a training camp wrap-up in Alur, Karnataka.
Dravid then shifted the focus towards Shreyas Iyer, another star player aiming for a triumphant return after an extensive injury break. Iyer’s sabbatical has spanned longer than Rahul’s, primarily due to a lower back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar series. As a result, Iyer missed out on both the IPL 2023 and the WTC final. Additionally, his absence extended through the West Indies tour, which included a surgical intervention and subsequent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.
Upon being queried about Iyer’s potential participation in the forthcoming matches against Pakistan and qualifier Nepal in Sri Lanka, scheduled for September 2 and 4 at Pallekele International Stadium, Dravid exuded confidence. The iconic batter emphasized the importance of providing Iyer ample game time ahead of the ODI World Cup, particularly in the upcoming Asia Cup and the home series against Australia.
“Shreyas is in good shape. The absence of issues during his training and practice sessions is a positive sign. Our focus now is to ensure he gets enough game time, something he’s missed recently. He has rigorously trained in the camp, batting and fielding, marking off all requirements. The only thing left is live match experience,” Dravid elaborated.
With Iyer poised to reclaim his position as India’s No. 4, team management faces another quandary. With Rahul’s absence, the dilemma revolves around selecting between Ishan Kishan, the initial backup wicketkeeper, or leveraging the expertise of Sanju Samson, who’s been enlisted as a traveling reserve.
This Asia Cup promises not just intense matches but also showcases the resilience and comeback stories of cricketing talents like Shreyas Iyer.