India vice-captain across formats KL Rahul is currently rehabbing at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after he suffered a groin injury ahead of the five-T20I series against South Africa which began on June 9.
Rahul was named the captain of the Indian team in absence of Rohit Sharma, who has been rested along with other senior players like Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Virat Kohli. But he suffered a groin injury on the eve of the first T20I in Delhi and was ruled out of the series.
On Tuesday (June 14), Cricbuzz reported that Rahul is doubtful for the one-off Test match against England. Another report has now suggested that a final word regarding the vice-captain's availability for the fixture will be out later this week.
India is scheduled to play the rescheduled fifth Test, three ODIs and three T20Is on their tour of England and KL Rahul’s availability for the Test match will depend on a fitness test he’ll undergo in the coming days.
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The one-off Test match is scheduled to be played from July 1 to 5 in Edgbaston while the six white-ball matches will take place from July 7 to 17.
As per the Insidesport report, Rahul will undergo a fitness test on Saturday (June 18) and will board the plane to the UK if he clears it.
“It’s a slow process. His recovery has been slow and that’s not a good sign. We have 3-4 days before the second batch leaves. There will be a light fitness test on Saturday. If he clears that, he will board the flight. If he doesn’t, we will wait for him to continue recovery process. He is certainly not ruled out at this stage,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by InsideSport.
There is still no word regarding his availability for the white-ball series. If Rahul is fit, he will play the complete series. If he isn't fit for the Test match, he might join the team before the start of the white-ball series.
(Times now news inputs)