Jasprit Bumrah boost offsets KL Rahul’s absence from Dharamsala Test

New Delhi, February 29

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Senior India batter KL Rahul will not feature in the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will return to the team, the BCCI said today.

Rahul, who continues to feel sore in his right quadriceps, has travelled to London to get an expert opinion on his injury.

The wicketkeeper-batter became unavailable after the series-opener in Hyderabad and as per the BCCI he was 90 per cent fit before the third Test in Rajkot earlier this month. “KL Rahul, whose participation in the final Test was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring him and coordinating with specialists in London for further management of his issue,” the BCCI said in a release.

Meanwhile, Bumrah, who was released from the squad for the fourth game in line with the team’s workload management policy, will link up with the squad in Dharamsala for the final Test, beginning March 7. India have already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Rahul’s absence from the final Test means Rajat Patidar remained with the squad but the MP batter can’t be sure of his place in the playing eleven, having aggregated only 63 runs in six innings. All-rounder Washington Sundar has also been released from the squad.

“He will join Tamil Nadu for their Ranji Trophy semifinal fixture against Mumbai, starting March 2nd. He will join the India squad after the completion of the domestic fixture for the fifth Test, if need be,” the BCCI said.

The BCCI also said that senior pacer Mohammed Shami is recovering well after undergoing a surgery on February 26 for his right heel problem.