On their path to World Cup 2023, the Indian team has received some good news as the officials of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru have given some positive feedback about the availability of three of their first-choice players- Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
The trio is undergoing rehab at NCA after Bumrah and Iyer underwent back surgeries and Rahul had a hip flexor surgery.
The Indian Express reported that if their recovery goes according to plan, Bumrah and Rahul will be available for selection for the Asia Cup set to be played in September. Iyer is yet to recover, and India is looking at Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav as cover.
Bumrah, who underwent back surgery in March, is said to have already begun bowling at the NCA nets, and his recovery is said to be going well thus far.
There is a chance that the pacer will be ready in time for India's visit to Ireland in August, but the Indian team management and medical staff are not in the mood to rush him as they want him 100% fit for the World Cup.
With his availability for the World Cup being crucial to India’s hopes, the selectors believe there is no need to rush him like they did last September with an eye on the T20 World Cup.
Taking him to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup is thought to be a secure choice given the lengthy flight and the rapid turnaround. His workload will likely be closely watched even at the championship event for the continent since they want him to be well-recovered for the World Cup.
KL Rahul, it is reported that, will resume his skill-based training by mid-July. There is a strong chance that the 31-year-old might even be ready for the T20Is against Ireland set to begin on August 18 and end on 23.
He has been terrific at no.5 for India in ODIs and is deemed as the no.1 choice wicketkeeper in the 50-over format in the absence of Rishabh Pant.
The report also touched upon the subject of the BCCI picking Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson probably getting chances in the Asia Cup 2023 in place of Shreyas Iyer.
Shreyas Iyer, who is having physiotherapy at the academy right now, and it has been learned that he will still have a few weeks before he can resume his skill-based training.
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Should Yadav and Samson be among the runs, they will give the middle-order the much-needed momentum when spinners operate because the bulk of India's World Cup sites is designed to help the spinners.
(Indian Express inputs)
