With the availability of KL Rahul uncertain, the BCCI has considered resting a few players for the fifth test on England’s tour of India 2024.
BCCI update on KL Rahul’s availability
The middle-order batsman KL Rahul has been rested on three test matches on the ongoing England tour due to his quadriceps injury.
BCCI has reported that he is 90% fit ahead of the third test but the player has been not placed in the squad for the third and fourth tests.
Meanwhile, he has been sent overseas to reassess his injury extent and to have an expert opinion. It is said that KL Rahul has been undergoing treatment for almost a week.
KL Rahul’s quadriceps injury has a long history for which he underwent surgery last year. While missing several months from action, he returned to action for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.
During the first test against England, KL Rahul complained of stiffness but gave importance to the side. However, the team management is reluctant to take any risks with him.
The availability of the player for the fifth test remains unclear, and any impact on the decision of his selection or resting may be influenced by the fact that India secured victory in the series 3-1.
“KL Rahul is ruled out of the 4th Test. His participation in the final Test match in Dharamsala is subject to fitness,” said BCCI before the fourth test.
Currently, the player participates only in Tests and ODIs and is less active in the T20 format.
“He has endured a heavy workload while keeping wickets in the World Cup and the Test series in South Africa. Multiple scans have been done on his quads. While there is nothing very concerning, some inflammation has been noted.
“The reports were sent to the doctor who treated him in England. Eventually, the doctor asked him to travel to England so that he could personally check what’s wrong with Rahul,” said a BCCI source.
BCCI’s statement of Rahul being fitness at 90% makes his participation in the IPL almost certain. He will lead the Lucknow Super Giants squad in the upcoming IPL season. LSG will be playing their first match of the IPL 2024 schedule against Rajasthan on March 24.
Recently the franchise brought in Shamar Joseph as a replacement for Mark Wood as the England board withdrew the player to manage his workload.
Coming to the test series, India and England will be playing their final test match starting on March 07 at HPCA Stadium, Dharmasala.
