Another blow for India. KL Rahul is ruled out of the 3rd Test against England, the BCCI confirmed on Monday. Team India announced a Virat Kohli-less squad for the remainder of the Test series against England on Saturday. KL Rahul was in the squad. But now BCCI revealed he will not play third test.
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, both missed the second test against England due to injury issues. Announcing the squad for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Test against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed that the participation of Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja is subject to fitness clearance from the medical team. The former vice-captain, Rahul complained of right quadriceps pain in the 1st Test against England. As per the latest developments, he will not feature in the 3rd Test. The Indian medical team will observe Rahul’s fitness for one more week before announcing the batter’s availability. “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,” the BCCI said in a press release.
Now in place of Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, the promising left-handed batsman from Karnataka has been included in the squad. The batter renowned for his stellar performance in the first-class season. Padikkal, who made his T20 international debut in 2021, received his maiden state senior team call-up. Padikkal has been in excellent form this season. Having started with a 193 against Punjab in the opening game, he struck 103 against Goa. Padikkal also scored 105, 65 and 21 in his three innings for India A in the two unofficial Tests against England Lions.