He had a fantastic IPL 2021 season. He had a brilliant 2021 T20 World Cup. And most recently, he played well in the 3-match T20 series against New Zealand at home. Now however, as KL Rahul prepared himself to make a name in the longest format, he’s been ruled out of the 2-match India vs New Zealand Test series which is set to begin on 25th November 2021.
Touted to be the future Indian captain, Rahul is yet to show consistency in the longest format and just when he had the chance to do so and had been batting better than he’s even done before, a muscle strain to his left thigh has ruled him out of the Test series. As a replacement, Suryakumar Yadav has been added to the squad, another batter who has been in great form.
This means India is going into the Test series with a team that isn’t close to their best. Virat Kohli has been rested for the 1st Test and now with KL Rahul gone too, the team is left with batsmen who are all not sure of a cemented place in the side; all needing to prove themselves. This includes an out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer.
The only person who is confident of his place in the side is Cheteshwar Pujara but there will now be an additional burden and responsibility on his shoulders. It’s likely that Suryakumar Yadav may be drafted straight into the side as a replacement for KL Rahul but we’d really like to see Iyer be given the first preference.
The opening Test is scheduled to begin in Kanpur on Thursday, 25th November, and it’s likely that India make the choice between Suryakumar or Shreyas by Wednesday itself. Either way, someone is going to get a Test debut for India and both are supremely talented, which can only be good for Indian cricket as a whole.
For more updates from the India vs New Zealand 2021 test series, keep reading ReadScoops.com…
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