In another massive blow to the Indian cricket team, ace batsman KL Rahul has been ruled out with an injury ahead of the third Test in Sydney.
Rahul, who was talked about as a potential playing XI candidate for the Sydney Test, will now miss the remaining two Tests.
The right-handed batsman will fly home after he sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“KL Rahul sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the MCG during Team India's practice session on Saturday. The wicketkeeper-batsman will not be available for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he will need about three weeks' time to recover completely and regain full strength," the BCCI said in a statement.
UPDATE: KL Rahul ruled out of Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2021
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The 28-year-old top-order batsman was part of the Indian squad across all the formats - ODI, T20 and Test - but was overlooked for the first two Test matches.
"He will now return to India and head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation of his injury," the statement added.
Rahul’s injury further weakens Team India who is already missing the services of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave along with injured pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.
The ongoing four-match series is currently tied at 1-1 with Australia winning the first Test in Adelaide while India registered a historic win in the second at MCG.
Feature image courtesy: William WEST / AFP
