'Dance with Dhana > Asia cup' - Fans react as reports of Shreyas Iyer to miss Asia Cup 2023 surface

Shreyas Iyer (Source: Twitter)

India's preparation for the 2023 50-over World Cup has taken another hit, as they will not have the services of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer in the upcoming Asia Cup. Both Iyer and KL Rahul were expected to be fit for the continental tournament, but according to the latest reports, they are unlikely to be ready in time for the event, which is only a month away.

Iyer is currently rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru following back surgery in April. He was forced to miss the three-match ODI series against Australia and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. India also missed his services in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval earlier this month.

"Iyer recently took an injection for his back pain at the Indian Cricket Board’s National Cricket Academy. His back is still giving him trouble," a source told The Times of India.

There were reports on Saturday that wicketkeeper-batter Rahul is also likely to miss the Asia Cup, which will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in August and September. After suffering a knee injury during the IPL 2023, the 31-year-old underwent surgery in May and is currently rehabilitating. According to Cricbuzz, the 31-year-old's return to the cricket field is unknown.

All eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson

With the World Cup fast approaching, India is treating the Asia Cup as an excellent opportunity to prepare for a significant multi-national tournament. But as key players like Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Iyer, and Rahul are unavailable for the tournament, it will be a big headache for the Indian selectors. Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Board hopes Bumrah will return during the Ireland series in August.

With Iyer and Rahul out of the upcoming major tournament, the focus will be on Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson. Both have been picked for the West Indies series starting in July, a crucial tour to prove their mettle in ODIs ahead of the Asia Cup and World Cup.

Here's how fans reacted: 

In sab se pehle Rishabh Pant fit ho jayega...

— Vishal Dubey (@VishalD17401107) June 25, 2023

Le SKY After This News pic.twitter.com/aDDJMQQ8Wl

— Ali Asgar🇮🇳 (@im_ali53) June 25, 2023

His recovery is pivotal to have a strong middle order for the world cup.

— Anhud gupta 🇮🇳🇨🇦 (@gupta_anhud) June 25, 2023

Asia cup and world cup squads should be same.Players who will not fit by asia cup should stay away from world cup too...

— Deepak bansal (@DJB_08) June 25, 2023

If a player does not recover on time for Asia cup then they should NOT be in the WC squad. Those who have been playing for so long in his absence should get the chance.

— TheCommoner (@thecuriousmonk7) June 25, 2023

quality time with Dhana > asia/world cup 🔥

— MSD (@kya_ukhaad_lega) June 25, 2023

Now Ishan Rutu Surya and Samson are in contention for 4 and 5 since Rahul Pant and Iyer unavailable. I prefer Samson at 4 and Surya at 5 at the moment.

— Aayush Agrawal (@crazycricfan45) June 25, 2023

Disadvantage Chahal

— Atul (@dikhhat_hai_) June 25, 2023