'Minnow basher wapas aa gaya' - Fans react as KL Rahul declared fit by medical team will fly down to Sri Lanka to play Asia Cup 2023

Team India is set to receive a huge boost ahead of the Super Four stages of the Asia Cup. As per reports from the Indian Express, the medical team has given Rahul the full clearance to play in the Asia Cup. India could not get off the mark in the Asia Cup as their first game against Pakistan ended up in a washout.

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Rahul has not been playing cricket for a long time. He played only half of the season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. Rahul picked up a thigh injury before the start of the second half of the tournament. This happened in a match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He then took a flight to England to undergo surgery.

His rehabilitation took place at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. Recently, Rahul made a lot of news when there were videos of him doing batting and wicketkeeping practice. Initially, it was believed that he might not make the cut for the Asia Cup. The Karnataka batter was also sidelined for India's first two fixtures in the multilateral tournament.

Sanju Samson joined the Asia Cup squad as a travelling reserve and backup for KL Rahul

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Sanju Samson was also drafted into the Asia Cup squad as a travelling reserve. The right-hander has been playing a dual role for India over the years both in the top order and in the middle order. In the middle order, Rahul has brought out some good performances and also kept wickets for the national side.

For the ODI World Cup, it was decided that Rahul would bat in the middle-order and keep wickets whenever required. When it comes to the 31-year-old's career, he has played 54 matches for the Men in Blue and scored 1986 runs at an average of 45.13 and at a strike rate of 86.57. He has hit 13 fifties and five hundreds.

Pakistan are through to the Super Fours of the Asia Cup after they beat Nepal by 238 runs in their first game and their second fixture against India was washed out. The Men in Blue will face Nepal in their second match.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:

Aisa to ye koi Sachin Tendulkar bhi nhi hai Jo isko jabardasti khilane me Lage hue hai itna jaldi jaldi flight book kar bhej rhe hai or karna isko kuch hai nhi waha jaake

— crazy_soul10 (@h_kakroda) September 3, 2023

Would have told directly that he was scared to play against Pakistan.#AsiaCup2023 #INDvsPAK

— CA Varun Jain (@varunjain_ca) September 3, 2023

How can he be playing in final eleven without any game practice ? Ind team management work like a central govt office where every player has given a fixed post / job and he can resume his services after a leave without any hassle😎😁

— Amit Shankar (@AmitSha15705869) September 3, 2023

Players are getting selected in team with out proper match practice. Yesterday we have seen the PR backed cricketers and their performance. Cricket is getting killed. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

— sreedhar G (@sreedhar1962) September 3, 2023

Warm the bench friend. Ishan has done his chances no harm. He is a WK first and his performance yesterday was superb. He didn’t flinch one bit. Amazing composure and tempo of the innings.

— Vishwas Paranjpe (@VishwasParry) September 3, 2023

KL Rahul after seeing Ishan Kishan performance Yesterday... pic.twitter.com/x0U4dZz7u6

— Anurag 🇮🇳 (@TheAnuragNag) September 3, 2023

There shouldn't be a spot for him once Ishan played that knock! While CSK refrains from Ben Stokes when he's fit to avoid disrupting their team chemistry. But Rahul Dravid would replace ishan with kl rahul. Rahul always thinks like a player, but not as a leader or coach.

— Ayush (@Ayush231299) September 3, 2023

He is back because he can play against Nepal and make big score and cement his place, and then flop when it matters most in the knockouts against team like Pak

— CMP (@CMP11107) September 3, 2023

If he replace Ishan kishan i wil stop supporting Indian team enough of this chutiyapa

— Anshu Chauhan (@chauhandwarrior) September 3, 2023

Should replace the Pill and open...

Otherwise Ishan should open and KL in MO...

While Ruturaj Gaikwad wins gold in Asian Games Pill will be carrying water bottles 😭😔 pic.twitter.com/H4It3kcOLt

— 😈 G H O S T 😈 (@nammavar_kh) September 3, 2023