Team India are all set to open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday (September 2).
The Men in Blue won’t have the services of KL Rahul for the first two matches due to a fresh niggle, as confirmed by head coach Rahul Dravid earlier this week.
In Rahul's absence, Ishan Kishan is likely to take over the wicketkeeping duties, with Sanju Samson named as a travelling reserve.
Amid the recent development, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that it might be tough for KL Rahul to make it to the World Cup squad.
ICC has set September 5 as the deadline for the teams to pick their provisional World Cup squad, and Gavaskar feels it's a tricky situation for Rahul with the deadline for the announcement fast approaching.
Notably, Rahul sustained a thigh injury during an IPL match on May 1. Subsequently, he underwent surgery in London and extended rehabilitation at the NCA in Bangalore. While the wicketkeeper-batter has completely recovered from his thigh surgery, he has picked up a fresh injury to be ruled out of at least two Asia Cup matches.
"You know, mostly, I think the fact that he's not gone is possibly because of the fact that he wants treatment to be continued at the heads of the same physios who have been treating him at the NCA. But then, yes, I think it's a tricky situation because if he's not playing any game before the fifth of September, how do you assess his situation? Because the perspectives about the match weaknesses is another thing. So, I think it's gonna be a tough call for the selection committee," Gavaskar told India Today in an exclusive chat.
"But maybe, you might get the answer in the first two matches itself. In which case, you might have to look beyond Rahul, but that's gonna be sad, but that's the reality," he added.
"Because you can't take chances with him. I'm all for taking him because of the fact that he's always been a classy player. But if it is not going to be seen in a match situation, before the World Cup squad is announced, I think it is going to be tough for him to be in the World Cup squad," he further stated.
India will face Nepal in their second Asia Cup match in Pallekele on September 4. It remains to be seen if KL Rahul will return to the playing XI for the Super-4 round or not (provided that the Indian team qualifies).
