The wicketkeeper-batter has been out of action after sustaining a thigh injury in IPL 2023 which needed a surgery
The last few weeks have been good for Indian fans with them getting the news of India’s bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah declared fit after missing out on the game of cricket since September 2022 and with fellow fast bowler Prasidh Krishna also returning from Injury. Now it is being reported that India’s wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is also fit and could return to the team for the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka and Pakistan later this month. Although Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to recover on time for the Asia Cup and World Cup as his back injury hasn’t been cured even after back surgery.
The Game of Musical Chairs
Iyer’s absence would hurt India as he is a vital part of India’s middle order along with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. His absence will result in a shuffle in India’s batting order as it is being speculated that India could open with Kishan and Rohit in the Asia Cup with Gill batting at number three and Virat Kohli at number four. There are very high chances of India going in with this batting order as there is a lack of an experienced batter at number four with Surya and Sanju being the two candidates for the position they don’t have much experience playing ODI cricket.
Who Gets Dropped?
Talking about KL, his return will provide some sort of stability in an uncertain middle order. As we saw in the recently concluded ODI series the team management was trying to find backups for the number four and number five position with uncertainty over the fitness of Rahul and Iyer. With KL returning from injury Indian team would feel relieved as he brings in a lot of valuable experience to the team. Rahul’s return also raises the question of who should be left out of the team. As things stand there are high chances of Sanju Samson getting dropped as he was the second-choice wicketkeeper after Ishan Kishan in the absence of KL Rahul and with KL back in the team Sanju might make way for him in the team.
