With the 2023 Cricket World Cup only about 40 days away, there are serious question marks regarding the Indian team that is expected to be selected for the marquee tournament.
The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, has quite a few concerns including the fitness of two of their key batsmen. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been injured for quite a while now and haven't played high-level competitive cricket in some time.
However, both players have been included in India's Asia Cup squad, which is expected to be the trial-run before the World Cup.
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Interestingly, BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that Shreyas Iyer is now match fit, KL Rahul is still nursing a niggle that will keep him out of the first 2-3 games of the Asian Cup.
Selecting KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer for World Cup might be unfair on others: Kapil Dev
Former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev feels that India should not take a gamble with the fitness of Iyer and Rahul, especially given that they are yet to play competitive cricket after recovering from their injuries.
He felt even if there is a slight question mark on their fitness, they should not be selected for the World Cup.
"You have a wonderful opportunity to create a team for the World Cup and the Asia Cup is a fine platform. I want these players to go and express themselves. But if there is any sort of question mark, they don’t need to be around. If you do not give them a chance, it will be unfair to not just the players but also the selectors. I am aware that the World Cup is taking place in India but you need to pick the best and fittest team,” Kapil Dev told ABP News.
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Rahul, who is expected to be fit only for the latter stages of the Asia Cup, might only get to play 2-3 matches in the tournament before the World Cup. Kapil Dev feels if they get injured again, it is unfair on others.
"Worst case scenario, if the guys get injured again during the World Cup, it will be unfair to the players who will miss out on being part of the squad. The injured players who have returned need to be given a chance. If they are fit, then can play the World Cup. There is no shortage of talent, but if they are not fit, India will have a chance to make changes to the World Cup squad right away."
Interestingly, Sanju Samson is India's travelling reserve in case Rahul is not fit for the Asian Cup.
When is India's first match in the Asia Cup?
India will take on Pakistan in their first match of the Asia Cup on September 2.
