Team India's head coach Rahul Dravid revealed on Tuesday that K.L. Rahul will be unavailable for the first two matches of Asia Cup 2023.
India's first group match will be against Pakistan on September 2 followed by another against Nepal on September 4.
“KL Rahul is progressing really will (sic) but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the Asia Cup,” BCCI posted on X platform, quoting Dravid. Dravid said he is hoping that the wicketkeeper-batter will be able to make a comeback after the first two games.
"KL has had a good week with us, playing well, progressing really well but he will be unavailable for the first part for the Kandy leg of the trip," the head coach said at a pre-departure press conference.
Dravid revealed that whether Rahul will join the tournament will be decided on September 4.
"The NCA will be looking after him for the next few days while we are travelling. We will reassess on the 4th (September) and take it from there. But signs are looking good. He will be unavailable for the first two games," he added.
After announcing India's Asia Cup squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had revealed that Rahul developed a niggle which is not related to his earlier thigh injury that kept him out of cricket for months.
Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, who is on reserve for Rahul, are the two wicketkeepers who could replace the injured player.
-- with PTI inputs
