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3 players who can bat at No. 5 for Team India in first two matches of 2023 Asia Cup in absence of KL Rahul
Team India has been facing a middle-order issue for quite a while due to injuries to key players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. However, both Iyer and Rahul have regained fitness ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup and have been named in the 17-member squad for the tournament, which begins on August 30. With everything seemingly set, head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed on Tuesday that Rahul will be unavailable for the initial Asia Cup matches.
The 31-year-old, who was injured during the Indian Premier League 2023, was seen gearing up for the 50-over tournament in full swing. But a slight niggle which he picked up during his rehabilitation has forced him to be sidelined for the matches against Pakistan and Nepal. This will definitely create a headache for the Indian management as they now have to pick a perfect replacement who can bat at the No. 5 spot.
On that note, let’s take a look at three players who can bat at number five in the first two matches of the Asia Cup 2023 in the absence of KL Rahul.
3. Suryakumar Yadav
Although Suryakumar Yadav has not yet proved his mettle in the ODI format, the management kept faith in him by including him in the Asia Cup squad. The Mumbai cricketer was earlier tried in Shreyas Iyer‘s No. 4 spot but did not impress. The management recently said that they want SKY to play a T20-like innings in the upcoming tournaments and would not be surprised if he is picked to come in at No. 5.
2. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is another option for Team India as the right-hander has previously experimented at the concerned No. 5 spot and can also do the wicket-keeping job. He will be travelling along with the squad as a reserve player. Though Samson has not been at his best in ODIs as he has been in T20Is, his power-hitting abilities can help India increase their scoring pace in the dying overs.
1. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is already included in India’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup. However, the southpaw plays as an opener as he has not been impressive in the middle order. Even in the recently concluded West Indies tour, he batted in the opening position and scored successive half-centuries. Although he was primarily seen as a top-order option, Rahul’s absence may prompt the management to drop the 25-year-old down the order as he can also stand behind the stumps.