(Cricket news) The Indian middle-order batter Kl Rahul has been ruled out of the 4th test against England, which is set to be played from the 23rd February at the JSCA international stadium in Ranchi. Rahul suffered a quadriceps injury ahead of the second test, which forced him to miss the previous two games.
Kl Rahul featured in the 1st game at Hyderabad and played a crucial knock of 86 in the first innings of the Test. He later followed it up with a 22 in the second innings. However a pain in the quadriceps kept him away from the 2nd and the 3rd test. Rahul has still not fully recovered from his injury and hence will miss the Ranchi test as well.
BCCI’s latest press release stated that the star batter’s availability for the final test will also be subject to fitness. In his absence Devdutt Padikkal has retained his place in the Indian squad and has travelled to Ranchi with the team.
Jasprit Bumrah on the other hand has been released from the squad ahead of the 4th test. He has been given a break after a lot of hard work that he has put in the first three games. He has bowled more than 80 overs in the series so far and has been the leading wicket-taker. In order to manage his workload, the management has now decided to allow him a break for the next game.
Mukesh Kumar has joined the Indian side in Ranchi, and is a possible replacement for Bumrah. Another fast bowler, Akashdeep is also a part of the squad, giving India a couple of options to choose from. India also has Axar Patel sitting on the bench and he can be good option if the surface at Ranchi has some turn.
