Middle-order batter KL Rahul is very likely to return to action for the fourth India-England Test which gets underway in Ranchi on February 23. India captain Rohit Sharma, after his post-match press conference in Rajkot on Sunday, gave a crisp update on the experienced batter and said, “he should be okay”.
Both Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out of the second Test in Visakhapatnam but returned to the squad for the remaining three Tests in Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala respectively. Participation of both players was subject to fitness and while Jadeja recovered in time for his home Test, Rahul was ruled out and the senior selection committee announced Devdutt Padikkal as a replacement.
“KL Rahul, whose availability for the remaining three Tests was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Rajkot. Mr. Rahul has reached 90 per cent of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” read a BCCI media advisory on February 12.
When India was playing the Test in Rajkot, Rahul continued with his recovery at the National Cricket Academy to be fit for the remaining two Tests.
“He will continue his recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to be completely match-fit for the fourth and fifth Test,” added the media advisory.
Rahul complained of pain in his right quadriceps during the first Test in Hyderabad and has been missing from action since then. The right-hander did upload a video of him enjoying a net session last week and is likely to be back in the middle-order for the Ranchi Test.
In Rahul’s absence, Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan were tried in the middle order and while Patidar is yet to make a substantial contribution in the four innings he has played, Sarfaraz made an instant impact with fifties in each innings of his debut Test.
Ahead of the third Test, the team management released Mukesh Kumar from the squad to allow him to play Ranji Trophy for Bengal but new additions Akash Deep and Padikkal remained with the squad. Padikkal was even on the field as a substitute for R Ashwin who had to fly back home during the Test for a ‘family medical emergency.’ The experienced offie returned to the field on Day 4 and even took a wicket as India wrapped up a thumping win.
Team India will leave for Ranchi on Tuesday
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