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[Saba Sports News] In a massive injury blow for Team India, their star batter KL Rahul has reportedly not been able to gain full fitness, resulting in the BCCI medical team declaring him unfit for the third Test of the ongoing series versus England.
After complaining of pain in his right quadriceps in the first Test, Rahul was ruled out if the following fixture held in Vizag. He was included in the squad for the remaining three Test matches in the series subject to fitness, along with Ravindra Jadeja.
As reported by The India Express, Rahul is still at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for his recovery. His condition will be monitored for another week before making a final call on his availability for the last two Tests.
The report also added that Rahul’s IPL and state teammate Devdutt Padikkal has been called in as his replacement. Padikkal is in a scintillating form in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. He has already smashed three centuries in the season against Punjab, Goa and Tamil Nadu. The southpaw also had a great series versus the England Lions, recording the scores of 105, 65 and 21 for India A.
Rahul’s injury makes an already deep void in the Indian batting unit even bigger. Although Jadeja is expected to make his comeback in Rajkot, it must be noted that the Virat Kohli-less Indian batting line-up has struggled as a whole in the series.
The upcoming match is scheduled to commence in Rajkot on February 15.