According to head coach Rahul Dravid, wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul will miss India’s opening two Asia Cup games as he continues to rehabilitate from a minor fitness problem.
After recuperating from a thigh ailment that had kept him out of action since May, Rahul was selected for the Asia Cup. However, he has not participated in any competitive cricket since that time.
Afterward, the 31-year-old had a fitness problem unrelated to his initial injury while receiving treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
“KL has had a good week with us, playing well and progressing really well, but he will be unavailable for the first part of the Kandy leg of the trip,” Dravid informed reporters.
“While we are on the road for the next three days, the NCA will take care of him. He is making excellent progress, and the signs are encouraging.
“We’ll evaluate him on September 4 and go from there,” was the statement.
Ishan Kishan will take the wicketkeeping gloves in Rahul’s absence for India’s first matches against Pakistan on Saturday and Nepal the following day.
Sanju Samson, who will go with the team as a reserve player, provides India with another option for wicketkeeping.
On Wednesday, co-hosts Pakistan and Nepal square off in Multan to kick off the Asia Cup.
Due to the strained political ties between the two neighbors, India has declined to travel Pakistan and will instead play its games in Sri Lanka.