Will KL Rahul feature in Asia Cup 2023? Details here
What's the story
Team India is sweating over the fitness of KL Rahul with the 2023 Asia Cup being around the corner. The continental event, which will be played in the ODI format, will get underway on August 30 and Rahul is racing against time to get fit. He will reportedly undergo a fitness test on August 18 which would determine his inclusion. Here are further details.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Rahul has been a vital cog in India's ODI line-up in recent years. Besides batting well at different positions, he can also keep wickets. With the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup taking place in October-November, India would want him to regain fitness sooner than later. To feature in the Asia Cup, he would be required to clear the fitness test.
Injury
Rahul last played in May 2023
Rahul has been out of action since the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants on May 1. The LSG skipper sustained a hamstring injury while fielding in the contest. The same ruled him out of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia in June. He subsequently underwent thigh surgery and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Practice
Rahul has resumed keeping practice
In a major positive for Team India, Rahul has resumed keeping practice. He was spotted all padded up and working on his reflexes at the NCA in Bengaluru. The clip of him keeping at the academy recently went viral on social media. With injured Rishabh Pant being unavailable, Rahul, if fit, would be India's first-choice keeper for the Asia Cup and WC.
Twitter Post
Here is the viral video!
Today, KL Rahul was seen practicing his wicketkeeping at the NCA#KLRahul pic.twitter.com/Czw63qO6py
— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) August 11, 2023
Stats
Rahul can bat at number four in Asia Cup
As per several reports, injured Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to make it to the Asia Cup squad. Hence, Rahul would be the top contender to bat at number four if he is available for the tournament. He has fared well at number four, hammering 241 runs in seven ODI innings at an average of 40.16. His strike rate at the position reads 80.87.
Stats
Rahul has aced the number-five position
While Rahul has been an opener for the major part of his professional career, he has done well at the number-five position in ODIs. As per ESPNcricinfo, the 31-year-old boasts 742 runs in 18 games in this regard at a sensational average of 53. His strike rate is just under 100 (99.33). Overall, Rahul owns 1,986 runs in 54 ODIs at 45.13 (five tons).
Significance
Rahul's significance in the Indian line-up
As mentioned, Pant is already unavailable. Hence, if Rahul also fails to make it to the Asia Cup squad, India will not have a proven keeper-batter for the event. Though Ishan Kishan has done well as an opener, he has not enjoyed batting outside the top three in ODIs. The other wicket-keeping option, Sanju Samson has not received regular chances at the highest level.