Rahul’s discomfort delays his return

Senior Indian batsman KL Rahul is still recovering from a right quadriceps injury, therefore it is doubtful that he will play in the fifth and final Test match against England at Dharamsala.

Rahul was declared 90% fit before to the third Test in Rajkot earlier this month, but he was ruled out after the series opener in Hyderabad in January, according to the BCCI.

Now that the series is won, Rahul has flown to London to consult with a specialist about his ailment, and the team management will not take a chance by fielding him in the Dharamsala Test, which starts on March 7.

To increase his chances of reaching the Indian side for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, he must be totally healthy before the IPL, when he will captain the Lucknow Super Giants and bat in the middle of the order.

“The goal is primarily to fly to London and get an expert opinion. When batting, he feels some right quadriceps soreness. The goal is to make sure he completely recovers since he is a long-term player that the club needs. He faces intense competition in the IPL and may even be considered for the T20 World Cup. Later in the year, we have some significant Test series against Australia and New Zealand. According to an IPL source, it is thus preferable to allow him time to heal correctly rather than pushing him.

Rahul was forced to miss almost four months of action due to the same quadriceps issue as the previous year.

At the HPCA Stadium, bowler Jasprit Bumrah—who was rested for the Ranchi Test—is anticipated to spearhead the assault. Although the series is already decided, each Test match delivers valuable points towards the World Test Championship, and Bumrah can be highly influential in the milder climates. India has five victories, two defeats, and a tie, placing them second in the rankings. Despite having played only four Test matches, New Zealand is top of the table with a winning record of 75%.