Iyer and Rahul's Asia Cup participation uncertain : Reports

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, supposed to be India’s first-choice middle-order players for ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, are unlikely to be selected for the Asia Cup 2023, starting August 30, 2023. As reported by Cricbuzz, both players have not recovered as expected during their rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. 

Both players have posted videos of themselves batting on their respective social media handles. However, according to reports, they are still lagging behind the fitness standards required to be picked for the team. 

Iyer, at number four, and Rahul, at number five, were supposed to be India’s preferred middle-order players for the World Cup. If not picked for the Asia Cup, their selection for the showpiece event in India will be in jeopardy. Post Asia Cup, the Men in Blue will be left with only three more ODIs (bilateral series against Australia at home) in preparation for the World Cup. The continental championship was seen as the perfect tournament for the duo to make a comeback and gain adequate match practice before the main event.  

Iyer had injury concerns in his back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March and has not played since opting for surgery. Rahul suffered an injury in his right thigh while chasing the ball during a game in IPL 2023. 

If not picked, the trio of Iyer, Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (certain to miss the World Cup) will be a big miss for India during the ODI World Cup in October and November. Since 2022, Iyer has been the second-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs (818 runs averaging 51.1). Rahul has also played various crucial knocks for India at number five.