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

In Virat’s absence, great chance for England: Broad

Cape Town: Former pacer Stuart Broad says the India-England Test series is the most evenly-matched contest that he has seen between the two sides but the visitors have a strong chance of emerging triumphant as the “fire, passion and competitiveness” of Virat Kohli is missing from the home team’s arsenal. “The first two matches were very competitive and it is one of the most exciting India-England Test series that I have seen,” said Broad, who is now a commentator. “India won the last Test but England’s playing style is quite effective in India. With Virat not in the team, it is a great opportunity for England,” he added.

India have real battle on their hands: Chappell

Melbourne: Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell feels England under Ben Stokes will give India tough competition in the remainder of the Test series but backed the hosts to win it. “As the home side, India should eventually win a tough series, but it has a real battle on their hands,” Chappell wrote in a column. “England under the aggressive leadership of Stokes are a far cry from the poorly captained Joe Root team that capitulated against spin on their last tour of the country,” he added. “India is a strong side and they also have a good leader in Rohit Sharma. This contest is shaping up as it should: a tough five-match encounter between two talented sides,” he added.

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