IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023: Shreyas Iyer out with back spasm, KL Rahul replaces him in playing XI

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IND vs PAK: Shreyas Iyer missed out from the India playing eleven in their first Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on Sunday, September. The right-hand batter who recently made a comeback after a long injury layoff had a back spasm just ahead of the match.

KL Rahul, who joined the Indian camp a couple of days ago, replaced Shreyas Iyer in the playing eleven. Rahul himself is making a comeback after a prolonged injury. He missed out on the first two matches in the Asia Cup 2023 and continued rehabilitating at the NCA after suffering a niggle injury.

"Two changes - Bumrah is back and one forced change, Shreyas Iyer just got a back spasm so KL Rahul comes in for him," captain Rohit Sharma said after Babar Azam invited India to bat first.

Shreyas Iyer was out of action from all forms of cricket since March. He did not bat in the fourth and final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia due to the recurring back issue.

The 28-year-old underwent surgery in April in London and started his rehabilitation at the NCA to make a comeback in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. He scored 14 runs off nine balls in the first match against Pakistan. The Mumbai batter did not get a chance to bat in the second ODI as India defeated Nepal by 10 wickets.

The news comes as a major setback for India who are trying to set their combination right for the upcoming World Cup 2023 which starts from October 5. India are racing against time to fix their middle-order conundrum.

There is a doubt over KL Rahul's fitness as well. He will be playing his first professional match in over four months.

Further, Bumrah who returned to India to attend the birth of his first child has returned and replaced Mohammed Shami in the playing eleven on Sunday.

India Playing XI vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj