K L Rahul Ruled Out Of India Squad For ICC World Test Championship Final Against Australia, Ishan Kishan To Replace Him

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday (8 May) announced that KL Rahul will not be able to participate in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final.

The Indian Cricket body confirmed that Rahul will undergo surgery soon and then receive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.

Ishan Kishan will replace Rahul in the WTC final, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar have been added as "standby players".

K L Rahul suffered an injury to his right upper thigh while fielding during an IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore on 1 May.

"After consultations with specialists, it has been decided that Rahul will undergo surgery at the earliest followed by rehab at the National Cricket Academy for the same," the BCCI said in a statement.

He is ruled out of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, it added.

“Absolutely gutted that I won’t be at the Oval next month with Team India. I’ll do everything I can to get back in the blue and help my country. That has always been my focus and priority,” K L Rahul had posted on his social media last week.

The BCCI also provided an update on the status of Jaydev Unadkat, who injured his shoulder while bowling in the nets before the RCB game in Lucknow.

"A specialist consultation has been sought and the left-arm fast bowler is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru undergoing strength and rehab sessions for his shoulder. A decision on his participation in the WTC final will be taken at a later stage," BCCI said on Unadkat's injury.

On Umesh Yadav, BCCI said that the right-arm fast bowler sustained a minor left hamstring injury during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 26 April.

"The fast bowler is currently under the care of the KKR Medical Team and has started low-intensity bowling as part of his rehab process. The BCCI Medical Team is in regular touch with KKR Medical Team and is closely monitoring Umesh’s progress," it said.

The India squad for the WTC final comprises of Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wicket keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wicket keeper).