KL Rahul has been dominated out of the Pallekele leg of India’s Asia Cup marketing campaign (first two matches) that begins in opposition to Pakistan on September 2. He may also not journey to Sri Lanka on Wednesday with the remainder of India’s squad.

Instead, he’ll proceed to work with the NCA physios in a bid to be “fully fit” and accessible for the Super 4s stage of the competitors. Rahul will endure a health evaluation on September 4 earlier than a name will likely be taken on his journey. Head coach Rahul Dravid stated Rahul “had been progressing really well” and that they do not see his unavailability for the early a part of the marketing campaign as a setback.

“So from our perspective, it’s only two less games that he is going to miss,” Rahul stated on the conclusion of India’s conditioning camp in Alur. “He is batting really well. He’s keeping, well, he is doing everything. It’s just a slightly more cautious approach with him leading into the World Cup.

“He’ll have a few match simulations over the course of the subsequent few days, which provides him somewhat little bit of an extended time on the market within the center. We are hoping that it ought to be solely two video games that he misses, after which he ought to be accessible for the later a part of the tour.

“There is an Australia series as well, so I’m not too worried about it. He’s an experienced player, both him and Shreyas have played a lot of cricket. They are very experienced players and hopefully we can give him the game time.

When the squad for the Asia Cup was named on August 21, Rahul was only deemed conditionally fit. While he had fully recovered from the thigh injury he sustained during IPL 2023, Rahul was understood to have picked up a “minor niggle”, according to chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

At the time, the NCA medical team was understood to have been satisfied with Rahul’s batting workload, but were concerned about his wicketkeeping after he complained of soreness after one of the practice games.

Rahul displays batting form in Alur nets

On Tuesday, the final day of India’s six-day camp, Rahul hit the nets and batted for nearly 35 minutes, facing up to pace, spin and the throw down specialists after some light warm-up drills. He didn’t keep wickets though.

Rahul began his session against spin, presumably because of his role at No. 5. He seemed in sparkling form; he used his feet well in stepping out to hit legspinner Mayank Markande against the turn, used the depth of the crease to nudge deliveries and then appeared to bring out full blooded sweeps against the two left-arm spinners R Sai Kishore and Manav Suthar.

Rahul then faced up to Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna in the second net, against the new ball. Rahul’s focus seemed to be on aligning himself with the bounce, getting behind the line and playing straight or using the pace to steer the ball behind square.

Then finally, he was at the throw-down specialist’s net, Rahul was seemingly trying and duck and get into good positions against the short ball. After the session, Rahul had a chat with coach Dravid and Virat Kohli.

Over the past couple of days, while Rahul hasn’t been in any physical discomfort the team management has carefully ensured his wicket keeping drills haven’t been too exhausting.

On Monday, he went through keeping drills that focused on sideways movements, especially to spin. However it was a brief session. He was also seen chatting with Rishabh Pant, who spent some time doing rehab and fitness drills with the team.

India have Ishan Kishan as a wicketkeeping choice within the Asia Cup squad, whereas Sanju Samson has been named a travelling reserve.