In a significant development, India’s prolific batsman KL Rahul has been ruled out of the upcoming third Test match against England in Rajkot. Despite being named in the squad for the final three Tests, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) added a fitness clause. While Ravindra Jadeja received the green signal for participation, Rahul’s full fitness evaluation is yet to be completed, and the medical team plans to observe him for another week before making a final decision on his availability.
Rahul, currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), couldn’t recover in time for the third Test. The BCCI and team management are optimistic about his fitness for the fourth Test. Previously, Rahul was sidelined for the second Test in Vizag due to right quadriceps pain reported during the first Test in Hyderabad.
ALSO READ: Irfan Pathan Hails Unmatched Loyalty Of RCB Fans, Believes IPL 2024 Win Would Be Historic
The ongoing series against England has witnessed various challenges for the Indian team, including the absence of Virat Kohli due to personal reasons and Shreyas Iyer losing his spot due to inconsistent performances.
With KL Rahul ruled out of the third Test, Sarfaraz Khan is likely to make his much awaited international debut! pic.twitter.com/HTnL84lAwP
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) February 12, 2024
To fill the void left by Rahul, Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal has been named in the Test squad. Padikkal’s recent Ranji Trophy performance, where he scored 151 against Tamil Nadu, impressed the selectors. He has been in remarkable form this season, notching up a century against Punjab and contributing consistently in the unofficial Tests against England Lions.
ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar Questions Hefty IPL Price Tag for Mitchell Starc, Highlights Value Concerns
Speaking about his recent innings, Padikkal expressed his flexibility in batting order and emphasized the importance of gaining confidence and experience at the international level. The left-hander’s inclusion reflects the team’s strategy to strengthen the batting lineup amid the challenging series against England.
“I don’t mind batting at No.3 and I don’t mind opening either. So that doesn’t really make a huge difference… As you play more cricket and gain experience, you naturally become more confident and adept at playing different shots,” he remarked, showcasing his flexibility and determination to contribute effectively to the team’s cause.
