KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India's first two matches of Asia Cup 2023: Head Coach Rahul Dravid

India's wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul will miss the group stage matches against Pakistan and Nepal of the Asia Cup 2023 due to injury. Indian cricket team's head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed the news in a press conference held in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

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However, during the selection itself, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had told about Rahul's injury. Now Rahul Dravid has made it clear that he is out of the team for two matches. The Indian team will play its two league matches of Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on 2 September and Nepal on 4 September.

"KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India's first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the Asia Cup Head Coach Rahul Dravid," BCCI tweeted quoting head coach Dravid.

"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," Dravid made the statement after the last day of India's training camp at Alur in Bengaluru.

This means, Rahul will only be available from the Super 4 stage if India qualify. Ishan Kishan is set to play as the keeper-batter against Pakistan and Nepal. There was always doubt over Rahul's availability for the first few matches. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar had confirmed that the right-handed batsman has an injury. However, this is not related to his old thigh and calf injuries. Though Rahul attended a 6-day fitness and medical camp at Alur along with the rest of the Asia Cup 2023 players, he did not appear for the yo-yo fitness test.

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KL Rahul was away from the field for a long time due to a calf injury sustained during IPL. He underwent surgery in London and has since spent a long time at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru along with Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah and Iyer regained full fitness. Meanwhile, Rahul unfortunately got a new injury.

Team India is likely to leave for Colombo from Bengaluru on 30th August for the Asia Cup 2023.