• Source:JND
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India cricket team is expected to be hit with a major setback on their road to the upcoming Asia Cup with the batting duo of KL Rahul and Shreays unlikely to be picked for the tournament.

Both Rahul and Shreyas have been under recovery from their respective injuries and are seen sharing their progress on their fitness on social media.

With the squad for the marquee event likely to be announced this week, both the batters have not sufficiently recovered to be considered for the tournament that runs from August 30 to September 17 as per a report from Cricbuzz.

 

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The absence of Rahul and Iyer makes way for the few of the players who were part of the recently concluded ODI series against West Indies. The likes of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson featured for the Men in Blue in the three-match series in the Caribbean.

Pakistan will be hosting the six-team championship with India's matches to be played in Sri Lanka.

There will be a few bowling changes though, with Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and the indomitable Jasprit Bumrah returning.

Rahul and Iyer, however, remain the strong contenders for a place in the squad for the ODI World Cup that will take place in India a few weeks after Asia Cup.

With the BCCI not looking to rush both players into international action, the three-match ODI series against Australia in September might serve as their comeback match.

One of the few headaches for the team management is to find the opening combination when skipper Rohit Sharma returns to the playing eleven.

Indications point towards Ishan and Rohit opening the innings, while Shubman Gill, who opened in the three ODIs against West Indies, may shift to the middle order.

 

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The potential team combinations are expected to be finalised during the Asia Cup preparatory camp scheduled in Bengaluru from August 24 to 29.

India's inaugural match in the Asia Cup is against Pakistan on September 2.