In what comes as a big blow to Team India, star opening batsman KL Rahul is likely to miss the entire T20I series against West Indies. The right-hander had tested positive for Covid-19 which all but ruled him out of the first 3 T20Is of the series. However, it has now been reported that the Karnataka lad wouldn’t feature in any of the 5 T20Is for India.
Since returning from Germany where he had undergone surgery for a sports hernia, the 29-year-old has been working towards regaining full fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
It was assumed that Rahul could be available for the USA leg of the West Indies T20Is if he returns two negative Covid-19 tests. But, now it seems like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keen to not risk him and wait until the Zimbabwe tour to re-include him in the team.
“Rahul needs rest for another fortnight to recover completely from Covid. However, it is unlikely that a replacement for him will be sent to the West Indies. Either Rishabh Pant or Ishan Kishan can open with Rohit. There’s no point in sending someone now,” a source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
After the Zimbabwe series, India will directly be looking at the Asia Cup which is now scheduled to be held in UAE from August 27 to September 11.
With Rahul out, India have the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and even Rishabh Pant for the opening spot in the T20I team. Pant’s promotion up the order is a recent development and it would be interesting to see if the team management persists with this move in the long run.
The period from the recently-concluded England series onwards is being seen as an important one keeping India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2022 in mind. Though Rahul’s place in India’s T20I side isn’t under threat, the selectors would be keen to see him return to show full form in the limited assignments that are to come.
