The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially named Ishan Kishan as a substitute for KL Rahul, who was hurt during the IPL 2023 last week. Rahul was injured while fielding during a match between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Soon after, he was ruled out of the IPL 2023 and the WTC final. In his absence, Krunal Pandya took over the LSG team.
KL Rahul will have surgery and then rehab as part of his comeback trial. Before his accession, Team India already had a long list of injured players. He has entered the ranks of regular Test players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant.
On Monday, fans reacted to the selectors’ decision to put Ishan Kishan in the World Team Championship final roster through Twitter. Many people thought that players like Wriddhiman Saha, Sarfaraz Khan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran would have been better picks than Kishan.
Here are a few of the best responses to Ishan Kishan’s selection:
It's not a great replacement. It's a world test championship. Final. We need an experienced player like Saha who can add some extra edge or Ruturaj who already proved his mettle ..totally MI selection committee
— Matre (@matre11) May 8, 2023
Pacers Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav are also nursing injuries ahead of the WTC final between India and Australia
Team India’s fitness woes continue, as bowlers Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav have both been sidelined due to injuries sustained during the ongoing IPL 2023. The BCCI has stated that a decision on the availability of the duo would be made in the coming days.
According to the BCCI’s official statement,
““Jaydev Unadkat sustained a left shoulder injury by tripping over the side rope while bowling in the nets. A specialist consultation has been sought and the left-arm fast bowler is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru undergoing strength and rehab sessions for his shoulder. A decision on his participation in the WTC final will be taken at a later stage.”
The statement further read:
“Umesh Yadav sustained a minor left hamstring injury during Match 36 of TATA IPL 2023 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 26 April. The fast bowler is currently under the care of the KKR Medical Team and has started low-intensity bowling as part of his rehab process. The BCCI Medical Team is in regular touch with KKR Medical Team and is closely monitoring Umesh’s progress.”