 "KL Rahul gets treatment for sore quadriceps, unlikely for 5th Test; Bumrah to return: Report")
KL Rahul’s return to Team India playing XI for the fifth Test against England in Dharamshala is a major doubt now. Rahul was reportedly 90% fit ahead of the fourth Test in Ranchi but failed to regain full fitness and was rested during the match which India won by five-wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead. Now it has been reported that Rahul continues to struggle with the right quadriceps injury that he suffered during the first Test in Hyderabad and has been under treatment for close to one week.
A report in Cricbuzz says that the star batter has been sent to London by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to get an expert opinion.
Another report in news agency PTI said that with several important tournaments like the IPL and T20 World Cup coming up, it was paramount to give him the necessary recovery time rather than rushing him.
“It is more to get an expert opinion (travel to London). He experiences a bit of pain (right quadriceps) while batting. It is to ensure that he recovers fully as he is a player that team needs long-term,” an IPL source was quoted as saying by PTI.
“There is so much competition coming his way – IPL, he could also be in the T20 World Cup mix. Then we have some important Test series against New Zealand, and Australia later in the year. So, it is better to give him time to recover properly than rushing him,” the source added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsRahul had undergone surgery for the right quadriceps pain injury last year which ruled him out of IPL 2023 midway through the tournament and World Test Championship Final, but he recovered in time to play as a wicketkeeper-batter in the ODI World Cup.
Considering the multiple roles that Rahul plays for India, the board and selectors are not interested in taking any sort of risk and this could be a factor in deciding his participation in the final Test against England which starts on 7 March at Dharamshala.
He, however, is expected to take part in IPL 2024 as Rahul had reportedly attained 90% fitness ahead of the Ranchi Test after missing the second and third matches in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot respectively. Another reasons Rahul will be targeting the IPL 2024 is to impress the selectors before the team is selected for T20 World Cup 2024.
Bumrah to play at Dharamshala
The Cricbuzz report also added that Jasprit Bumrah who was rested during the Ranchi Test to manage his workload is set to return to India’s playing XI at Dharamshala despite hosts already winning the series. The team management, however, could give rest to a few other players.
Team India layers are currently on a break and have been asked to report in Chandigarh on 2 March before flying to Dharamsala on 3 March.
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