KL Rahul, who was expected to keep wicket and bat in the middle order against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final – to be played at The Oval from June 7 to 11 – has been ruled out of the game as a result of the injury he picked up while playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). An official announcement to this effect is expected shortly.
There has been no confirmation of whether it’s a hip-flexor problem or a hamstring strain that has ruled Rahul out. But either way, he won’t be in England as India seek to go one better than they did in 2021, when they lost to New Zealand in the final.
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Rahul’s injury will force India into a tactical rethink. KS Bharat is the other wicketkeeper in the squad. It now seems certain that Ishan Kishan, who has been in decent touch for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, will be drafted in as a second keeper. He has the added advantage of being a left-hand batter, in a line-up otherwise full of right-hand batsmen.
Despite a lean trot in recent times, Rahul will be sorely missed in England. Of the batters in the current squad, only Rohit Sharma averages more in English conditions. Rahul has two centuries from his nine Tests on English soil, including a sparkling 149 at The Oval in 2018.
Bharat made his debut in the recent home series against Australia, and wasn’t entirely convincing with bat or gloves. Kishan has played 41 white-ball games for India, but is yet to make his Test debut.