New Delhi, Aug 10 : Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris believes that KL Rahul’s return to the Indian team ahead of Asia Cup 2022 is good for the team The right-handed opener is described as “a real match-winner” at the “biggest stage”. Rahul has been absent of cricket action in competition since his participation in the IPL 2022 Eliminator on May 25 in Kolkata.
His team, the debutants Lucknow Super Giants, lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 14 runs at Eden Gardens.
Rahul was then named captain of the five-match T20I series in the home ground against South Africa in June.
However, a groin injury to the right on the day of the first game in New Delhi ruled him out of the series.The surgery for a sports hernia in Germany caused Rahul was out of England tour as well.
Rahul was scheduled to return to India’s T20I series against West Indies, but a positive Covid-19 test prior to the start of the tour resulted in he was not in the squad in travel to the Caribbean and ODIs against Zimbabwe.However, with the T20 World Cup in Australia nearing, Rahul is now fully ready to be again in game for India in the shortest format of the game.
“KL Rahul was a straightforward choice probably of all possible match-ups we’ve talked about, I believe this was the simplest one.It’s obvious how valuable for the Indian team is the management as well as to the selectors since he’s appointed vice-captain as well.That means that he was always a leading player in this Indian team,” said Styris on “Sports Over The Top,” a show on Sports18.
With Rahul arriving in the wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was excluded of the Asia Cup squad.”And I suppose it’s a bit unfortunate for Ishan Kishan because he has the left-handed skill that I’m sure they’d love to have made it into the team, if they could have, as it’s a very dominant right-handed team until they reach the level of Rishabh Pant.”
“So I’m convinced that the player will be disappointed, and naturally it’s because he’s an outstanding player.However, KL Rahul, it’s good for India that he’s returning because we all know that he’s an absolute game winner at the highest level, too,” added Styris.
In the field, India have taken Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh as fast bowling options with Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel suffering from injuries.
While on tour of West Indies, Avesh had lost the score of 0/54 in six overs during his debut in ODI and posted numbers of 1-31 and 0-47 in T20Is played at St Kitts.
He was able to redeem himself with an amazing run of 2-17 in the fourth T20I in Florida and finished the series with zero-20 in the final game of the series.
Saba Karim, who was the former India wicketkeeper and former member of the committee that selects players has backed Avesh’s selection in the Asia Cup squad, saying that selectors need to stick with youngsters that they’ve put their money in for the long time.
“I think that once you’ve made a commitment in children such as Avesh Khan, you shouldn’t let them out to grill and these youngsters haven’t committed any wrongdoing.”
“I can see that Mohammed Shami on current form is a good bet than that with Jasprit Bumrah being out due to injury , but it’s just that the coaches are looking for that kind of security and are determined to stick with the players they have displayed a lot of confidence.”
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