The Indian opener, KL Rahul has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against New Zealand after suffering a muscle strain in his left thigh. Suryakumar Yadav, who was a part of India’s Test squad that traveled to England, has been added to the side as Rahul’s replacement. New Zealand first toured India in 1955-56 and their last tour was in 2016-17. But the Kiwis are yet to win a Test series in India. Of the 34 Tests played between India and New Zealand in India, the hosts have won 16 and lost just two.
In a press release regarding the same, BCCI said, “Team India batsman KL Rahul has sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-match Paytm Test series against New Zealand. He will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA in preparation for the series against South Africa scheduled next month.”
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KL Rahul was missing from the Indian team’s customary practice session, attended by almost all the cricket at the Green Park stadium on Tuesday. Buoyed by their T20 clean sweep, India will be eyeing to take revenge for their defeat in the World Test Championship final when they host a weary New Zealand in the first Test in Kanpur from Thursday.
NEWS – Suryakumar Yadav replaces KL Rahul in India's Test squad.
KL Rahul has sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-match Paytm Test series against New Zealand.
More details here –https://t.co/ChXVhBSb6H #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/uZp21Ybajx
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 23, 2021
The 29-year-old Rahul has played in 40 Tests for India, in which he has amassed 2321 runs at an average of 35.16. His highest score was 199 that came against England in Chennai in 2016. Shubman Gill was seen opening the batting along with Mayank Agarwal during the team’s net session as Cheteshwar Pujara also batted.
There are certain chances that either Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav will be making make his Test debut and bat in the middle order. The young opener, Shubhman Gil was expected to bat in the middle order but now in the absence of Rahul, he will be asked to play in his usual opening slot.
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India’s Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
