Even though fans breathed a sigh of relief with selectors including Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul in the remaining IND vs ENG Tests, they are not out of the woods yet. Both Jadeja and Rahul will appear for a fitness test in Rajkot on Tuesday before the team management determines whether either of them should play in the India vs England 3rd Test beginning Feb 15. India Cricket Team will assemble in Rajkot on Monday.
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja missed the 2nd Test in Vizag owing to injuries. While Rahul complained of stiffness in the right quadriceps. He had to undergo surgery nine months ago. While Rahul hasn’t complained of pain since the team management and the selectors do not want to take any chances.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja is recovering from a hamstring strain. It usually takes a few weeks to recover. However, considering his importance to the side, he was included. He is yet to receive the BCCI medical team’s clearance. And a fitness test in Rajkot will decide whether he will play the IND vs ENG 3rd Test at home.
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KL Rahul to replace Shreyas Iyer
If KL Rahul does pass the fitness test, he will replace Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batter has been dropped following a string of poor shows. And in his place, Rahul will slot in at No 4.
With no Virat Kohli in the IND vs ENG Test series, KL Rahul plays a crucial role. So far, only Yashasvi Jaiswal has done well. While Shubman Gill managed to stay alive in the race with a century in Vizag, he is also going through a rough patch. KL Rahul seems to be the answer to India’s batting trouble.
As for Ravindra Jadeja, if he clears the fitness test, he will replace Mukesh Kumar. India will likely go with four spinners with Jasprit Bumrah being the only seamer. But if the pitch is as good a batting surface as Vizag, India could go with two seamers, dropping Kuldeep Yadav.
India squad for remaining Tests:
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep
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