In and out, KL Rahul in doubt

Reacting to the news of India batsmanwicketkeeper KL Rahul not being fit for the first part of the Asia Cup former Mumbai captain and chief selector Milind Rege remarked ldquoIf he Rahul is selected he should be available for all games We have to be fair to everybody and the same rule should apply to every playerrdquoWhen asked about Rahulrsquos rsquokeeping and whether he should be behind the stumps in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup Rege said ldquoNo I think that place should go to a proper rsquokeeper because we are playing on Indian pitches These are different pitches and on these wickets the ball may turn or may not turn so we need a genuine rsquokeeper Ishan Kishan will be my choice as wicketkeeperrdquoRahul DravidRahul was announced as part of the 17member squad but the name of Sanju Samson was mentioned a travelling standby playerAccording to PTI Rahul has been ldquoruled out of the first two matches of the upcoming Asia Cup due to a ldquonigglerdquo not only delaying his muchanticipated return to the Indian team but also raising doubts about his availability for the ODI World Cup starting October 5rdquoThe report quoted head coach Rahul Dravid as saying in a predeparture press conference ldquoKL has had a good week with us He is playing well He is progressing really well but he will be unavailable for the first part mdash for the Kandy leg of the trip He will be unavailable for the first two gamesrdquo Rahul will stay back at the National Cricket Academy A decision on his Asia Cup will be taken on September 4Also Read Asia Cup 2023 Is Indias squad truly allencompassingNCA to look after RahulldquoThe NCA will be looking after him for the next few days while we are travelling We will reassess on the 4th September and take it from there But signs are looking goodrdquo Dravid addedMeanwhile former India allrounder Yajurvindra Singh said ldquoThey selectors have gone for safety Nobody wants to take a chance But I have seen that proven talent has not worked in the last 10 years Every time in a big tournament we have gone for Dinesh Karthik MS Dhoni and so many players hoping that experienced players make us win But I think we have to think beyond Give the youngsters a chance try them out Every time you just canrsquot go for safety Itrsquos not fair to youngsters You need to play at least two domestic matches to prove match fitness Apparently they KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer played some side matches somewhererdquoThe 1979 World Cupper added ldquoThe first match against Pakistan is not crucial at all It has no relevance and this is the time they should try youngsters for the first match at least We will anyway qualify as we will beat NepalrdquoErstwhile Mumbai fast bowler and selector Pradeep Kasliwal underlined Rahul is a quality player and him arriving later in the tournament will be beneficial ldquoHe is a true allroundermdasha good opening batsman and equally useful at No3 Having him in the team wersquoll get a good wicketkeeperbatsman and an experienced campaignerrdquo said KasliwalThe three former cricketers spoke to midday on the sidelines of exIndia team manager Amrit Mathurrsquos book Pitchside release function at the Cricket Club of India on TuesdaylsquoKL is batting wellrsquoDravid also said ldquoItrsquos just two less games from our perspective KL is batting well Slightly more cautious approach leading into the World Cup He will have a few match simulations in the next few days Wersquore hoping it will be only two games he misses and hersquoll be back for the later stages We also have an Australia seriesrdquoWith inputs from PTI