Cricket News

IND vs ENG 2024: 3 Players to replace KL Rahul in 3rd Test

Key middle-order batsman KL Rahul will miss the third Test against England starting February 15th in Rajkot. Rahul, who sat out the second Test in Visakhapatnam due to a quadriceps strain, was included in the squad for the remaining matches but his participation was subject to medical clearance. His withdrawal from the third Test is seen as a precautionary measure.

Fellow Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal has been named as a replacement for KL Rahul in the India squad for the third Test. Padikkal has been in good form in the domestic circuit, scoring three centuries in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and one in the unofficial Test series against the England Lions. Had Rahul been available, he would have been a certain starter. However, with the latest development, the team management will have to look elsewhere.

Here’s a look at three batters who can replace KL  Rahul’s in the 3rd Test:

3. Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan, the highly talented batter from Mumbai is the most likely to take the position which has been vacated by Rahul. The 26-year-old has been a consistent run-scorer in the domestic circuit over the last few years. In 45 first-class games, he has scored 3912 runs at an average of close to 70, which is outstanding. His returns include 14 tons and 11 fifties and a high score of 301*.

In the case that he makes his debut, the news will serve as great delight not only to him and his family but to all those who have been desperately waiting for him to get an opportunity in India’s whites. Sarfaraz is a good player of spin and his strike rate of over 70 suggests that he likes to take the attack to the opposition. This could be a good thing for the team as the track in Rajkot will in all certainty, favour spin immensely.