Asia Cup 2023: Availability statuses of KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer

The Asia Cup 2023 will be the next multi-team tournament for India. They are currently engaged in a multi-format tour of the Caribbean. Rohit Sharma’s men have already kicked the tour off in great style with a thumping victory by an innings and 141 runs in the first Test. Up next, they will contest one more Test followed by a series of three ODIs and conclude their tour with a five-match T20I series that will extend the team’s tour to the USA.

Sri Lanka are the defending champions of the Asia Cup after they defeated Pakistan in the previous edition’s final. However, unlike the last time, the competition will follow the 50-over format this time in preparation for the marquee ODI World Cup scheduled in October-November this year. In the previous Asia Cup, India lost two crucial games in the Super 4 stages which ended their campaign without a final appearance.

Jasprit Bumrah could be back for the Ireland series before Asia Cup

Talking of Team India, they are certainly the favourites in Asia. However, their injury problems might play a major role in how the tournament pans out. KL Rahul, who has been sidelined since his injury sustained in the IPL clash against RCB, has been ruled out from selection in the Asia Cup, to be held in September. According to Cricbuzz, the Bengaluru batter will not be able to return to match fitness in time.

However, with the bad news, there also are positives to note. Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah was seen bowling full throttle in the nets at the National Cricket Academy where he is undergoing his rehabilitation. It was earlier reported that Bumrah will be back for the series against Ireland, scheduled for August.

It was also reported that accompanying Bumrah on that tour would be Shreyas Iyer who has been inactive since March will be accompanying Bumrah on his return during the Ireland series. However, things seem to have taken a U-turn as the latest reports are doubtful of a return for Iyer in the Ireland series or the Asia Cup. However, both Bumrah and Iyer would be participating in NCA practice games soon to judge their match fitness.