Confusion continues to build around KL Rahul’s availability for Asia Cup; after almost getting ruled out, “fully fit” wicketkeeper batter is back in contention

KL Rahul sustained an injury to his thigh during IPL 2023 and has been out of action ever since.

Confusion continues to build around KL Rahul’s availability for Asia Cup; after almost getting ruled out, “fully fit” wicketkeeper batter is back in contention

KL Rahul (Image via Twitter)

India’s wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul is still in the National Cricket Academy (NCA), recovering from the surgery on his thigh which he injured during IPL 2023.  As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced India’s squad for the Ireland tour, Rahul’s name was missing from the list. This meant that Rahul is not yet fully fit. 

Although the Indian cricketer keeps sharing updates about his fitness, the NCA medical has not declared Rahul match fit, unlike Jasprit Bumrah who is set to make a comeback through the Ireland T20Is. BCCI shared an update about KL Rahul’s recovery saying the wicketkeeper batter has started batting practice in nets. 

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A few days back, Rahul was filmed doing wicketkeeping practice. Although the cricketer did not look in full flow, Rahul looked comfortable. But a rapport in Cricbuzz ruled out the possibility of the Karnataka cricketer returning for the Asia Cup. The report said that Rahul is not yet fully fit. 

Also Read: WATCH: Yuzvendra Chahal comes out to bat, gets called back by Hardik Pandya and Rahul Dravid only to come back again

Will KL Rahul be back for Asia Cup?

KL Rahul batting
KL Rahul batting (Image via India Today)

Hours after the report from Cricbuzz, another report in the Times of India claimed the exact opposite. The TOI report has claimed that Rahul is fully fit and will be back for the 2023 Asia Cup. 

“The coaches and medical experts at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bangalore are satisfied with Rahul’s progress/recovery. He will be available for selection for the Asia Cup,” a reliable source was quoted as saying in the report.

Now, it is to be seen which of these two reports comes out to be true. The BCCI Selection Committee will be soon announcing Team India’s squad for the continental showpiece event. The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup kicks off on 30 August with a match between Pakistan and Nepal. India, meanwhile, will open their campaign on 2 September against the arch-rivals.

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