The World Cup is coming up and Team India hasn’t sorted out its middle order. Shreyas Rahul and KL Rahul had been touted as the No.4 & No.5 respectively but both players missed most of the cricket this year because of injury. Rahul and Iyer have been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru. They were originally expected to return at the Asia Cup, but it’s been delayed.
According to reports, KL Rahul is not participating in the showpiece continental event. According to reports, the two batters have not been fully fit yet and so the Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI does not wish to rush them.
The Asia Cup was seen as a good preparation for the ODI World Cup and India was expected to feature their players eligible to represent them at that tournament, in order to help prepare them for such an important mega-event. India’s World Cup plans are now in danger, as Rahul and Iyer are no longer available.
KL Rahul, Shreyas iyer and KL Rahul to return for the ODI Series against Australia
Team India will play three ODI matches against Australia between the Asia Cup and World Cup. Shreyas iyer and KL Rahul won’t be playing in the Asia Cup. They will return to the team through the ODI Series.
Insiders suggest that, although both players have provided updates regarding their fitness on social media, it would be premature for either to return to international cricket until full recovery has taken place and they become contenders in this year’s ODI World Cup tournament. If this is the case, then the three-ODI match series against Australia scheduled for September could serve as the comeback matches.
Reports also stated that Team India will have almost the same lineup for the Asia Cup, with some changes to the bowling line-up. Mohammed Siraj Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will all be in the squad. The batting line-up will remain the same.
