Experienced Indian player KL Rahul has been declared unfit for the final and fifth Test against England in Dharamsala, slated to start from March 7. He has remained sidelines since the first Test in Hyderabad, following complaints of discomfort in his right quadriceps.
In other news, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was discharged from the Indian team for the fourth Test in Ranchi, will make a comeback in Dharamsala for the fifth Test. The key bowler was given a break for the Ranchi match in adherence to Team India’s workload management strategy.
On Thursday, February 29, the BCCI issued an official press release providing an update on Rahul.
“Mr. KL Rahul, whose participation in the final Test was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring him and coordinating with specialists in London for further management of his issue.”
BCCI Official
In another crucial event, all-rounder Washington Sundar has been discharged from the club. He will join Tamil Nadu for the Ranji Trophy 2024 quarterfinal against Mumbai, which begins March 2.
“He will join the India squad after the completion of the domestic fixture for the fifth Test, if need be,” the BCCI release added.
The Indian cricket board also issued an update on senior bowler Mohammed Shami, who had surgery on his right heel on February 26 and recovered nicely.
“He is recovering well and will soon head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to commence his rehabilitation process,” the BCCI said.
Shami hasn’t played a single game for India since the 2023 World Cup final against Australia on November 19 in Ahmedabad.
Rajat Patidar gets another chance in Indian Test squad despite failures
Despite his unsatisfactory performances at the crease, the Indian cricket team continues to count on Rajat Patidar, a batsman from Madhya Pradesh, for the upcoming fifth Test. The 30-year-old made his first appearance in the Visakhapatnam Test and his performance in the series has been lacklustre so far, having scored 32, 9, 5, 0, 17, and 0 respectively.
According to certain sources, while Patidar has been retained by the selectors, in-form Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal is expected to make his Test debut at Dharamsala.
The 23-year-old struck hundreds against Punjab, Goa, and Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy 2024. He also got a century for India A in their second unofficial Test against the England Lions.