Rahul to miss first two games

Dravid says India had clarity about No. 4 and No. 5 months ago but injuries spoilt it

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MUMBAI/KOLKATA: KL Rahul, India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the Asia Cup, has been ruled out of the first two matches against Pakistan and Nepal due to a niggle, said India head coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday. Ishan Kishan is India's second choice for the position, with Sanju Samson picked as travelling reserve.

"KL has had a good week here with us. Trained well and done a lot of things. He's progressing really well on the route that we want to take. But he will be unavailable for the Kandy leg of the trip," said Dravid at a pre-departure press interaction in Bengaluru, where the India squad has been camping for six days. "The 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 the signs are looking good and he's progressing really well."

India take on Pakistan in their tournament opener on September 2 followed by Nepal on September 4. With a limited number of ODIS scheduled between now and the beginning of the World Cup in October, Rahul's delayed comeback could be a setback to India's plans as they will have to fall back on Kishan, who unlike Rahul, has never batted at No 5 or 6 in ODIS. India have been pressed to find a solid middle order for some time now, with Rishabh Pant ruled out after his accident last December and Shreyas Iyer only coming back now after a long injury-induced layoff but Dravid said they always had a certain degree of clarity on this issue.