Team India has suffered a major setback with the news that seasoned batsman KL Rahul won’t be available for the upcoming third Test against England.
KL Rahul, who was selected for India’s squad in the last three Tests against England, has been ruled out of the upcoming third Test starting on February 15. The Indian Express reported that the BCCI’s medical team, monitoring Rahul, determined that he is not fully fit and will undergo reevaluation after a week.
Both Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were initially included in the squad with a fitness caveat, as mentioned by the selectors during the announcement. The report indicates that Rahul, recovering from a quad injury that sidelined him in the second Test, requires an additional week to achieve full fitness. While Jadeja has overcome his hamstring issue and is set to play in Rajkot, Rahul won’t be available for the third Test. Last week, the BCCI included both players in the squad, emphasizing their participation was contingent on fitness clearance.
The report said, “While Rahul wasn’t found to be fully fit yet, Jadeja was given the green signal to take the field for the crucial third Test in the series which is tied 1-1. The medical team, it is learned, has told the selectors that they would observe Rahul for one more week to take a call on his availability.”
KL Rahul is still undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore and hasn’t arrived in Rajkot yet. The selectors and team management are optimistic about his recovery, hoping he’ll be fit for the upcoming fourth Test in Ranchi.
Taking Rahul’s place, Devdutt Padikkal, who showcased his prowess with a remarkable 151-run innings against Tamil Nadu, has caught the attention of Indian selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar witnessed Padikkal’s stellar performance during the Ranji Trophy match.
In his recent Ranji Trophy appearance against Tamil Nadu, Padikkal notched up an impressive 151 runs, leaving a lasting impression on selectors. With a watchful eye from Ajit Agarkar in the stands, Padikkal’s talent is gaining recognition.
The young batsman has been in sensational form in the ongoing edition of India’s premier red-ball tournament, accumulating 556 runs from six innings at an astonishing average of 92.67. Padikkal has already recorded centuries against Punjab and Goa. Additionally, his contributions in the India A unofficial Tests against England Lions, where he scored 105, 65, and 21 in three innings, further highlight his promising talent.
With the Test series delicately poised at 1-1, the third Test holds significant importance, and neither team would want to lag behind in this crucial phase.
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