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Recovering Rahul won't be fit in time for India's first two Asia Cup games
Coach Dravid confirms the wicketkeeper-batter's unavailibility for the Asia Cup games against Pakistan and Nepal
Shashank Kishore
Shashank Kishore
29-Aug-2023 • 48 mins ago
KL Rahul will miss the group-stage games against Pakistan and Nepal • Getty Images
KL Rahul will miss the group-stage games against Pakistan and Nepal • Getty Images
KL Rahul, India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the Asia Cup, will not be available for the first two matches at the tournament, against Pakistan and Nepal, head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed at a press conference prior to the start of the tournament.
Dravid said Rahul has been "progressing really well", but won't be ready in time for the group-stage fixtures against Pakistan (September 2) and Nepal (September 4), both of which will be played in Pallekele.
"KL has had a good week here with us. Trained well and done a lot of things. He's progressing really well on the route that we want to take. But he will be unavailable for the Kandy leg of the trip," Dravid said at India's pre-departure press interaction in Bengaluru. "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 and he's progressing really well."