KL Rahul. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Star India batter KL Rahul is all set to join the Indian squad in Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup 2023 as he has successfully cleared his fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. According to reports, Rahul will be available for selection from the Super 4 stage onwards. The 31-year-old has been out of action ever since he suffered an injury while fielding during Match 43 of the IPL 2023 between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Rahul missed the World Test Championship 2023 final and underwent a successful surgery for his thigh and lower-hip injury. He then went through his rehabilitation at the NCA and got selected in the squad for Asia Cup 2023. However, the wicketkeeper-batter suffered a fresh niggle just a few days before his selection while going through match simulations and practice games.
Rahul didn’t travel with the team to Sri Lanka for Asia Cup 2023 and stayed back at the NCA as a “precautionary measure” ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled to begin in India from October 05. Head coach Rahul Dravid and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had also mentioned Rahul’s unavailability in the first few games of the continental tournament.
And now in a recent development, according to a report in RevSportz, he has cleared the fitness test at the NCA and will join the Indian team in Kandy. The report further stated that Rahul will be available for selection from the Super 4 stage.
Ishan Kishan shone with the bat in Rahul’s absence
Meanwhile, in Rahul’s absence, Ishan Kishan happily accepted the job to bat in the middle order in India’s first game against Pakistan. The southpaw played a sublime knock of 82 off 81 balls, smashing nine fours and two sixes in his innings.
Kishan forged a crucial 138-run stand for the fifth wicket with Hardik Pandya (87 off 90) and helped India recover from 66/4 to finish their innings on 266 all out. However, cricket fans were left disappointed as the game ended in a washout due to inclement weather at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. India will next face Nepal on Monday, September 04 at the same venue and need to win or tie the game to qualify for the Super 4 stage of the tournament.