Indian batter KL Rahul won’t be available for the first two matches of Asia Cup 2023 due to fitness concerns.
The right-handed batter will miss the games against Pakistan and Nepal on September 2 and 4, respectively.
“KL Rahul is progressing really well but will not be available for India’s first two matches – against Pakistan and Nepal – of the Asia Cup,” said head coach Rahul Dravid.
The 2023 Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan, who are the hosts, and Sri Lanka between August 30 and September 17.
All the matches of Asia Cup will not be played in Pakistan because the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send their team to Pakistan due to security concerns.
Pakistan are in Group A alongside Nepal and India. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B.
Four matches will be played in Pakistan, while nine, including the final, will be played in Sri Lanka.
The T20 and ODI formats have alternated at the Asia Cup since 2016. The 2023 edition will be played in the 50-over format in order to help the teams prepare for the World Cup in India later this year.
India are the defending champions of the 50-over Asia Cup, which was last held in 2018.