‘Iski jarurat nahi he’-Fans react as KL Rahul likely to miss Asia Cup doubtful for World Cup

The Asia Cup 2023 is less than a few months away, and six teams will be preparing for the continental competition. India will be keeping a close eye on the 50-over event as the country prepares to host the ODI World Cup 2023 in October-November this year. However, as these tournaments approach, the Men in Blue are encountering selection challenges owing to injuries to numerous important players.

India may be forced to play the Asia Cup without KL Rahul. The Karnataka player is recovering from thigh surgery that he had in May. According to Cricbuzz, Rahul’s return date to Indian Cricket Team is still doubtful, and it seems uncertain that he would be ready to play in time for the forthcoming Asia Cup. This is a big setback for India, they would be missing not just a middle-order batsman but also a wicket Keeper.

Who will replace KL Rahul in the Asia Cup?

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson might be the replacement for Rahul in the Indian team at the Asia Cup. The wicket-keeper batsman is back in the squad after being picked to the ODI team for the West Indies tour. Alongside that, Rishabh Pant still recovering from his accident injuries, India may keep Samson in the 50-over event alongside Ishan Kishan if Rahul fails to recover in time.

Following a two-match Test series, India will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the West Indies. The one-day internationals will kick off India’s preparations for the 50-over World Cup as well as the Asia Cup. Shreyas Iyer may also be out for an extended period of time. Because of his injury, the middle-order batsman will now miss the World Cup. His fitness level is unknown, but there are concerns about the pace at which he will recover.

While the Indian star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will return to the action soon. The Ireland series might be the eye for the Indian selectors, he is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and the Indian Cricket Board, wants him to return to match-play slowly and progressively.

Here’s how fans reacted

It is a bit downhill for Rahul unless something out of the ordinary happens. Indian cricket may look beyond.

— Bhargav Mitra (@bhargav_mitra) June 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/iamthakuranshul/status/1672529048726302722?s=20

Good news then!!!🤩

— SaiRam (@ram37012) June 24, 2023

Very very good for Indian cricket

— Karthi (@Kalaikarthi1108) June 24, 2023

No one destroyed indian cricket more than IPL

— Vishnu 🕉 (@MasterVKohli) June 24, 2023

Good news 😜

— HTweets 🇮🇳 (@hmahnot) June 24, 2023

With KL, Iyer, Bumrah out for good amount of time, really not sure how they gonna perform by directly coming to WC. Testing times ahead..

— Srikanth Dhulipala (@SrikanthDhul26) June 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/buttlerhive/status/1672514888340586499?s=20

Good news for opponent s

— JUDE JOMON (@jude_jomon) June 24, 2023