The stage seemed all set for KL Rahul to mark his return to international cricket from India’s first match against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 until he sustained a niggle and was ruled out from the opening two matches of the continental event. Although India’s head coach Rahul Dravid assured that Karnataka cricketer would be joining the team after September 5, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has raised questions over considering Rahul for selection amidst recurring fitness issues.
It is worth mentioning that Rahul sustained a thigh injury during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and was under rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after undergoing surgery. His treatment went well, and he even played the practice match alongside Shreyas Iyer ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 to prove his fitness but unfortunately sustained a niggle in the process.
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Sunil Gavaskar’s blunt take on KL Rahul’s future in Team India
Speaking about Rahul’s current situation in regard to the Asia Cup 2023 and the marquee ODI World Cup with Star Sports, Gavaskar bluntly shared his feelings and stated that the Indian team might have to look beyond him. He also raised doubts over including Rahul in the Asia Cup team after September 5, highlighting that the 31-year-old might not be match-ready in such a short span of time. The 74-year-old further stressed why India can’t take chances with Rahul for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
“You know, mostly, I think the fact that he’s not gone is possibly because of the fact that he wants treatment to be continued at the hands of the same physios who have been treating him at the NCA. But then, yes, I think it’s a tricky situation because if he’s not playing any game before September 5, how do you assess his situation? Because practice match is one thing and match fitness is another thing. So, I think it’s gonna be a tough call for the selection committee,” said Gavaskar.
“But maybe, you might get the answer in the first two matches itself. In which case, you might have to look beyond Rahul, but that’s gonna be sad, but that’s the reality. Because you can’t take chances with him. I’m all for taking him because of the fact that he’s always been a classy player. But if it is not going to be seen in a match situation, before the World Cup squad is announced, I think it is going to be tough for him to be in the World Cup squad,” he added.
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