Ravi Shastri doesn’t see KL Rahul to be a part of playing XI in the Asia Cup: That’s a no no

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has said that he wouldn’t consider KL Rahul to be a part of the playing eleven for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 as the Indian batter continues his recovery from injury.

During the IPL 2023, Rahul suffered a setback when he injured his right thigh, which required surgery.

The injury led to Rahul being ruled out of action midway through the IPL 2023. His recovery process was closely monitored, with updates indicating slow but steady progress. By July 19, 2023, reports confirmed that Rahul was back in action at cricket nets following his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy. Despite this positive development, his participation in the World Cup 2023 and the upcoming Asia Cup was contingent on him regaining full match fitness.

Before the injury had happened, Rahul had played in nine matches during the 2022/23 season for the Indian team, which also saw him don the role of wicketkeeper for the side and come in to bat at No.5.

The 30-year-old had scored 321 runs at an average of 45.85.

However, Shastri feels that Rahul shouldn’t be a part of the playing XI for the Asia Cup and opted for Ishan Kishan as his choice for the wicketkeeper role. Speaking on Star Sports’ Selection Day show, the former India coach felt that it would be asking too much from Rahul to be a part of the playing side for the tournament and also take up the role of the wicketkeeper of the team as well.

“See when when you’re talking of a player (KL Rahul) who’s not played and is recovering from injury. To think of him in the XI of the Asia Cup, you’re asking a little too much of the player himself. And then you’re talking keeping. When a guy comes from an injury, the range of movement and things of that sort, so that’s a no no,” Shastri said.