It looks like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have taken significant steps towards claiming back their respective spots in the Indian ODI side ahead of the Asia Cup 2023.
Both Rahul and Iyer, who have missed plenty of cricket in 2023 owing to thigh and back injuries respectively, took part in a 50-over simulation game at the KSCA ‘B’ ground on Monday in a bid to prove their fitness for the shorter format and stake a claim in the Asia Cup 2023 squad, which is expected to be announced this week.
As soon as Rishabh Pant, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, posted a video on his Instagram story on Monday, where Iyer is seen playing a cover drive with Rahul at the non-striker’s end, the social media went abuzz. The signs are extremely promising with Rahul now a certainty to be part of the Asia Cup squad while the scenario is looking bright for Iyer as well. Though the duo will continue to be part of similar simulation games and other drills in the next couple of days, things are looking bright for both.
Sources at the NCA have informed RevSportz that both Rahul and Iyer took part in the simulation game for a good two-hour period where the duo batted for the longest. While Iyer fielded normally after completing his batting, Rahul kept wickets normally, showcasing their improved fitness after undergoing rehab at the NCA.
“The simulation was organized specially for Rahul and Iyer. It started at around 2pm and ended at 4:30pm. Both batted normally and looked in decent touch. After completing their batting sessions, Rahul kept wickets and Iyer fielded. They are close to full fitness and in strong contention to make it to the Asia Cup. Now, the selection committee and team management will take a call,” a source at the NCA told RevSportz.
Rahul had injured his right thigh while sprinting during an IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in May, 2023, which forced him to miss cricket since then. Whereas Iyer had missed the IPL 2023 and World Test Championship Final in June due to a back injury. The injury, an impinged nerve caused by a bulged disc in the lower back area on the right side, had been troubling him since his return from the Bangladesh series in December 2022. Both Rahul and Iyer had undergone surgeries for their respective injuries.
The Ajit Agarkar-led national selection committee is expected to assemble to pick the squad for the Asia Cup this week and it remains to be seen whether Rahul and Iyer make the cut for the Asia Cup 2023, which will be played from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.