Another blow to India: KL Rahul ruled out of third Test, Padikkal named as replacement

PTI

Rajkot, February 12

Senior India batter KL Rahul was today ruled out of the third Test against England after failing to fully recover from his quadriceps strain that forced him to miss the second match in Visakhapatnam.

Devdutt Padikkal, the talented Karnataka left-hander who is enjoying a great First-Class season, replaced Rahul in the squad.

“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. Rahul has reached 90 per cent of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” the BCCI said in a press release.

Rahul will continue his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru as he looks to return for the fourth and fifth Tests. The series is currently locked 1-1.

The selectors had earlier named both Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad subject to clearance from the BCCI’s medical team.

“KL Rahul hasn’t yet reported in Rajkot. Ravindra Jadeja, the local boy, has linked up with the team. It was always a case of subject to fitness and the BCCI medical team is still not confident that he is match fit,” a BCCI source said.

In his most recent Ranji Trophy match, the 23-year-old Padikkal scored 151 with the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar watching his knock from the stands.

Padikkal has been in excellent form this season. Having started with a 193 against Punjab in the opening game, he struck 103 against Goa.

Besides his exploits in Ranji, Padikkal also scored 105, 65 and 21 in his three innings for India A in the two unofficial four-day games against England Lions.

With Rahul ruled out, the doors could open for Sarfaraz Khan in the middle-order now that Shreyas Iyer has also been dropped. — PTI

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