Asia Cup is set to begin on August 30 where Pakistan and Nepal will be playing in the inaugural match of the event at Multan.
With India announcing its squad on Monday for Asia Cup 2023, the inclusion of players Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul has surprised the former Indian player and says the selection of these players is a gamble decision made by Team management.
Madan Lal Concern on KL Rahul’s Fitness
India’s Asia Cup squad has been announced on August 21, and the squad will be assembled in NCA Bengaluru on August 24 before starting for the Asia Cup.
As per reports the wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul will miss out on India’s first game in Asia Cup and Sanju Samson is named as the back-up wicketkeeper in the team. India about has its first match against Pakistan on September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
On this occasion, Madan Lal had expressed his disappointment on the selection of the player KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the squad whose fitness are unsure, and believes that the duo should have been picked only after proving their fitness.
“I don’t think the selectors and team management are still sure whether KL Rahul is fit or not. What injury or niggle? They should have specified that. They have kept Shreyas Iyer. There’s still no surety about his fitness”.
“They haven’t played any competitive cricket. They should have been picked after they had proved their match fitness. Batting in the nets and batting in the middle are two different things,” Madan Lal said.
Shreyas Iyer has been out of action since March 2023 with a back injury and KL Rahul have been sidelined after a thigh Injury since May 2023. They are expected to solve India’s middle-order issues in the ODI format for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav are selected as a backup in the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023. Former Player Madan Lal was surprised on the exclusion of Chahal from the Indian Squad.
He said “The thing that has surprised me the most is Yuzvendra Chahal’s absence. They said there should only be one wrist spinner. Chahal is a genuine wicket-taker and a match-winner. His absence was surprising”.
He said that the player has performed well for India, but is surprised not in the playing 11 due to combinations. Yuzvendra Chahal has been ruled out due to Axar Patel who can score some runs on batting in the low order.
“Yes, Axar Patel has done well in the last two-three years. I’m not criticising him but you have Ravindra Jadeja to do what he does. You need wicket-takers if you want to win matches. Apart from Chahal’s absence and the inclusion of unfit players, the squad was largely on the expected lines,” Madan Lal concluded.
Important Links to Check Out Regarding Asia Cup 2023
