Big blow to Indian team, this star player out of Test Championship final

Lucknow (Best Hindu News)- Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has been ruled out of the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) due to a foot injury sustained last week. Rahul confirmed this on Friday.

The Supergiants had earlier said in a release that Rahul would require surgery and would be out of action for a “long period”. Rahul said on his official Instagram account, “After careful consideration and consultation with the medical team, it has been concluded that I will be undergoing thigh surgery shortly. My focus will be on getting myself fully fit in the coming weeks. This has been a difficult decision, but I know it is the right one to ensure a full recovery.”

It is noteworthy that Rahul was injured while fielding in the first innings of the match played between Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last week at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. He then went off the field with the help of the team staff and had not even come down to chase the target of 127 runs by the Supergiants. However, he faced three balls when he came in at number 11 in the 18-run defeat by the Supergiants. Rahul said, “As the captain of the team, I am very sad to not be there during this crucial period. But, I am confident that my team will give its best as always.

He said, “Absolutely disappointed that I will not be with Team India at The Oval (WTC Finals) next month. I will do everything I can to get back in blue and represent my country
Am. It has always been my priority.” This is Rahul’s second major injury in the last one year. Earlier in 2022 also he had sports hernia for which he underwent surgery. The Super Giants are currently at the second position in the points table. In the absence of Rahul, Krunal Pandya will take charge of the team. He also captained in the previous match against Chennai Super Kings, though that match was washed out.

Rahul’s career has been full of ups and downs in recent times. Following a poor run of form in Test cricket, he was dropped as vice-captain and also lost his place in the Test XI. He has also not played any T20 International since India’s defeat in the T20 World Cup in November 2022. ODI cricket is the only format where he plays the role of a middle-order batsman as well as a wicket-keeper for India. Rahul could have played the wicketkeeper-batsman role for India in the WTC final as well, although after this injury India may have to rely on the inexperienced Shrikar Bharath.