‘Jab vo injured hai toh use leke kyo ja rhe’ - Fans react as KL Rahul declared unfit for initial two games of Asia Cup 2023

KL Rahul (Source - Twitter)

Star Indian wicketkeeper KL Rahul will not be available in the Indian squad for the first two games of Asia Games 2023. The big update was given by Indian team head coach Rahul Dravid before the team travelled to Sri Lanka for their games in the continental championship. Earlier Rahul was named in the squad after he got injured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

Now it will be interesting to see how the Indian team manages wicketkeeper choices, as in the 17-member squad only Ishan Kishan is available with the gloves option, and Sanju Samson is there as the backup. Kishan has performed well as an opener, but if the left-handed batter plays in the XI as the opener then Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have to shift down the order in batting. 

KL Rahul will be unavailable for the first two games : Rahul Dravid

"KL has had a good week with us, playing well, progressing really well but he will be unavailable for the first part for the Kandy leg of the trip," Dravid said at the pre-departure presser as quoted by NDTV SPORTS. "The NCA will be looking after him for the next few days while we are travelling. We will reassess on the 4th (September) and take it from there. But the signs are looking good. He will be unavailable for the first two games," he further added.

India will kick off their campaign in the 16th edition of the Asia Cup when they lock horns with Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. The Chairman of Selectors, Ajit Agarkar, along with the Men in Blue skipper, Rohit Sharma, announced the 18-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023 in a press conference on Monday, August 21, in Delhi. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are making their comebacks in the Indian squad after recovering from injuries for this marquee event. 

Here is how fans reacted:

Jab vo injured hai toh uske leke hi q jaya jaa rha hai

— Sir-Kid (@ooobhaishab) August 29, 2023

Advantage pakistan 😓

— Shreyy (@Sadly_shrey) August 29, 2023

He should have played Ireland matches before playing Asia Cup.

— Sayantan Pandit (@codziac) August 29, 2023

So Sanju gonna play. Good news or bad news?

— Ajitdeep (@CHAIHOLIC_) August 29, 2023

Means ishan kishan confrim for first 2 game

— Ashish Prajapati🇮🇳 (@Aash_prajapati) August 29, 2023

Advantage India 🇮🇳

— GEETROCKKER (@GEETROCKKER) August 29, 2023

Again headache in playing 11

— Bala⁴⁵Rohit (@bala45_rohit) August 29, 2023

What about Shreyas is he available?

— krishnamoorthy (@krishna99123) August 29, 2023