The return of KL Rahul to Team India is likely to be extended that scheduled for the 5 T20I matches against West Indies, starting July 29, after the senior opener tested positive for covid-19.
KL Rahul, who is currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, has returned a positive result for the virus. This information was revealed by the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to the media personnel after the BCCI Apex Council Meeting on Thursday.
This has put Rahul’s comeback in the T20I series on hold. In fact, according to some reports, he will be missing the West Indies series, which is slated to be played across three venues – Trinidad, St Kitts and Florida (USA) – from July 29 to August 7.
KL Rahul hasn’t played any game since the IPL 2022
A groin injury and now covid has meant that Rahul will not have taken the field for two months for the national team. Last month Rahul had a groin surgery in Germany. After the successful completion of the operation, he went to the NCA and has been posting pictures and videos on his social media account about his rehab programme.
While Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav, who also is recovering from a hand injury at the NCA, were named in the T20I squad to face West Indies, the BCCI had mentioned that their selection was based on them clearing the fitness test, which is due on Friday. But, now it seems Rahul will not only miss the fitness test but the trip to West Indies itself.
Rahul had sustained the groin injury last month ahead of the home T20I series against South Africa where he was supposed to lead the side in absence of the rested Rohit Sharma, but then had to pull out last minute. He missed the series in Ireland and the entire tour of England also as he flew to Germany for the surgery.
KL Rahul had another blockbuster IPL season – leading the Lucknow Super Giants, the right-hander finished as the second-highest run-getter this season, amassing 616 runs, but his strike rate of 135 drew plenty of criticism.
The selectors didn’t name the vice-captain for this series as now Rahul’s availability is in doubt. Should Rahul not make the tour, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah are the lead runners for being Rohit Sharma’s deputy.
India’s squad for the five T20Is vs WI: Rohit Sharma (capt), Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul*, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
*The inclusion of KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav is subject to fitness.
The first three T20Is will be played in the Caribbean – the first match in Trinidad and the next two in St. Kitts – and then the action will move to Florida for the last two T20Is.
Injury, Covid now. Man nothing going right. Wishin you a speedy recovery boy! @klrahul. Play cricket sooooon. pic.twitter.com/5I0eEpVQIh
— AB. (@aminurmusk) July 21, 2022
KL Rahul Tested positive for COVID-19
Nothing is fair with this guy.
#KLRahul pic.twitter.com/YozALgHfNh
— Vɪɴɪᴛʜ
(@129atlords) Get well soon champ @klrahul
— Pawan arya (@Pawanar02106943) July 21, 2022
Just on the verge of a return to International Cricket, KL Rahul tests positive for Covid-19.
— Analystique (@Analystique_in) July 21, 2022
KL Rahul is Covid positive and out of T20I series against WI.
Hoping for his speedy recovery.
But now as he is out you should give a well deserved chance to Sanju Samson.“One man’s loss is other man’s gain”#BCCI #SanjuSamson#KLRahul @thebharatarmy #IndvsWI @SanjuSamsonFP pic.twitter.com/kTYCwwK3lt
— Sanju Forever (@Pranjal1127) July 21, 2022
This too shall pass. Stay strong #klrahul pic.twitter.com/45qaLHkHUC
— Peivi Shoe Popa (@rudra13_) July 21, 2022
@klrahul retirement when??
— Kl Rahul’s Cover Drive (@KlCoverdrive) July 21, 2022
After the tweet KL Rahul tested +Ve Big brave karthik parents together 28+ Years living same House
— Chikoo 2.o (@tensionakuthu) July 21, 2022
