Asia Cup 2023 is just around the corner. The squad for the continental tournament has already been announced and this seems like India's last chance to have a look at the set of players who will be donning the national blues in the World Cup at home starting October 5. While KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been named in the squad, Ajit Agarkar, the chief of the selection committee did mention that Rahul did pick up another niggle but is expected to recover quickly.
And now in a fresh update, a report carried by Times of India claims that Rahul looked at ease while batting in the Alur camp ahead of the team's departure to Sri Lanka. Notably, the entire contingent is in Alur at the outskirts of Bengaluru and are in the middle of a conditioning camp focusing on various fitness routines. Each member of the squad also underwent a Yo-yo Test and as per a report carried by PTI it was Shubman Gill who topped this fitness Test with score of 18.7.
India, meanwhile, will begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 2 against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The arch-rivals can meet again if they both qualify for the Super Fours stage of the tournament. If that happens, they will meet in Colombo on September 10. In case of an IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 final, the two teams will play the same venue on September 17.
With some high-pressure matches lined up, a lot of eyeballs will be on Rahul's fitness who is expected to be fit in course of the tournament. Sanju Samson has been named as the travelling reserve only because of the niggle to Rahul. With Rahul fit, he will not only slot in the middle order but will also provide a wicketkeeping option to the captain along with Ishan Kishan.