During the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul, one of India’s key batter, sustained an injury while fielding on May 1. The injury occurred as the 30-year-old attempted to prevent a boundary, resulting in damage to his right leg.
While neither the LSG management nor the BCCI has officially confirmed the news, it is widely speculated that Rahul will miss the remainder of IPL 2023 due to his injury.
There is also a small possibility that he may not be able to participate in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval on June 7. The extent of his injury will become clearer following his scans, after which the BCCI will make a decision.
Rahul is currently in Mumbai for these scans, and the BCCI officials and NCA doctors will be responsible for determining his future.
According to reports, it is suspected that KL Rahul’s injury may be a hamstring or hip injury, with his previous hernia surgery in Germany taken into consideration before his potential return.
If Rahul is indeed unable to participate in the World Test Championship final, Ishan Kishan is expected to take his place in the Indian squad.
Kishan was previously part of the national squad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but was subsequently dropped for India’s bid to win the 2021-23 World Test Championship. If Rahul fails to recover in time, Kishan is the leading candidate to serve as KS Bharat’s backup in England.
In addition to Rahul, the Indian team is also concerned about Jaydev Unadkat’s injury. During practice, the left-handed pacer injured his shoulder, and he has already been ruled out of the 16th edition of the IPL. As a result, there is uncertainty about Unadkat’s ability to recover in time for the WTC final and travel with the squad.
It has been confirmed that members of the Indian cricket team who do not qualify for the playoffs of the IPL will depart for London immediately following the conclusion of the league stage on May 21. This early departure is in line with the team’s plans to acclimatize to the English conditions ahead of the World Test Championship final against Australia, which is scheduled to begin on June 7 at The Oval.
The Indian team management has emphasized the importance of arriving in the UK early to adapt to the local weather and pitch conditions, as well as to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19.