India’s Test squad has been dealt a blow with the news of senior batter KL Rahul being ruled out of the upcoming Rajkot Test against England. Rahul, who had been added to the squad for the remaining three Tests of the series, failed to fully recover from a right quadriceps injury sustained during the first Test in Hyderabad. As a result, he missed the second Test in Visakhapatnam and will continue his recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
The 31-year-old’s absence opens the door for Devdutt Padikkal, the talented left-hander from Karnataka, to make his Test debut in Rahul’s place. Padikkal, who has been enjoying an exceptional first-class season, has been named as Rahul’s replacement for the Rajkot Test. His recent performances, including a remarkable knock of 151 in the Ranji Trophy, have caught the attention of selectors and fans alike.
However, Rahul’s extended break due to injury raises concerns about the communication between senior players, the BCCI medical team, and the actual status of injuries. With the series finely poised, India will rely on the depth of their squad as they aim to maintain their dominance over England in the upcoming Test matches. The updated squad for the third Test includes notable names such as Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja (subject to fitness), alongside newcomers like Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill.
As the cricketing world awaits the action-packed encounter in Rajkot, all eyes will be on how the Indian team adapts to the absence of KL Rahul and the debut of Devdutt Padikkal. With the series hanging in the balance, both teams will be eager to seize the momentum and assert their dominance on the field.
