Star Indian batter to miss the rescheduled Test against England?

Indian batter, KL Rahul won’t be available for the rescheduled Test match against England, scheduled to be played next month. KL Rahul is currently recovering from a groin injury, which he suffered on the eve of the first T20 international of the ongoing five-match T20 series against South Africa.

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KL Rahul was appointed as the captain of the Indian Team in the T20 series against South Africa. However, a groin injury meant he was ruled out of the tournament and now he is expected to miss the rescheduled Test in Birmingham.

“Rahul has not recovered from his groin injury. The Test squad members are assembling in Mumbai today and will fly out midnight. Rahul is not travelling with the team. He will take some more time to recover although he might appear in a fitness test during the weekend. Chances of recovery aren’t looking bright,” a BCCI official privy to development told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

All the players, who are part of the squad for the England Test, will fly to England early in the day. The second lot, consisting of Pant, Iyer and Rahul Dravid will take the flight to England after the conclusion of the ongoing T20 series against South Africa.

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It has been also been understood that the selectors aren’t looking for KL Rahul’s replacement in the squad. Team India are likely to open with either Shubman Gill or Cheteshwar Pujara alongside Rohit Sharma.

“You have Shubman Gill, who has opened in most of his Test matches. Else, Cheteshwar Pujara can also open the batting, in case there is any fitness issues for any of the two openers. It was a 17-member squad and 16 will be going. So that’s not a problem,” the source added.

The rescheduled Test match between England and India is scheduled to be played from 1^st to 5^th July 2022 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.