I don't think the selectors and team management are still sure whether KL Rahul is fit or not: Madan Lal

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recently came forward to announce India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, which is scheduled to begin on August 30. With the squad announcement, many came forward and opined that the board took quite the gamble in announcing the squad.

Many players included in the squad have little to no play time. After sustaining injuries, star batters KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were named in the squad. Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna have recently returned after recovering from their respective injuries.

It was stated that KL Rahul will miss the initial stages of the Asia Cup 2023 due to a minor niggle, and former Indian cricketer Madan Lal was not impressed. Lal opined that even the selectors are unsure whether KL Rahul is completely fit and questioned the decision to draft him into the squad with no match practice. 

“I don't think the selectors and team management are still sure whether KL Rahul is fit or not. What injury or niggle? They should have specified that. They have kept Shreyas Iyer. There's still no surety about his fitness. They haven't played any competitive cricket. They should have been picked after they had proved their match fitness. Batting in the nets and batting in the middle are two different things,” Madan Lal told Aaj Tak.

The thing that has surprised me the most is Yuzvendra Chahal's absence: Lal

Furthermore, Madan Lal also pointed out the exclusion of star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from the Asia Cup squad. Stating that Chahal is a crucial wicket-taker for India, his exclusion came as a surprise to the former Indian cricketer.

“The thing that has surprised me the most is Yuzvendra Chahal's absence. They said there should only be one wrist spinner. Chahal is a genuine wicket-taker and a match-winner. His absence was surprising. Yes, Axar Patel has done really well in the last two-three years. I'm not criticising him but you have Ravindra Jadeja to do what he does. You need wicket-takers if you want to win matches. Apart from Chahal's absence and the inclusion of unfit players, the squad was largely on the expected lines,” Madan Lal said.