Press Releases
Mon 12 Feb 2024, 2:37 pm
Summary
This post explains that KL Rahul has been ruled out of India's third Test versus England, with Devdutt Padikkal named as his replacement.
The author reports that KL Rahul is at 90% match fitness and will continue rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru, implying he remains a likely option for the fourth and fifth Tests if recovery continues as projected.
The Men’s Selection Committee replaced Rahul with left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal for the Rajkot Test starting 15 February 2024, signaling a straight batting substitution rather than a like-for-like keeper change.
The updated 17-player squad lists two designated wicketkeepers (Dhruv Jurel, KS Bharat) and retains a full pace-spin balance—three frontline spinners (R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Kuldeep Yadav) and multiple seam options (Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep)—indicating selection flexibility depending on pitch conditions.
MEDIA ADVISORY
February 12, 2024
England’s tour of India, 2023-24
KL Rahul ruled out of third Test, Devdutt Padikkal named replacement
KL Rahul, whose availability for the remaining three Tests was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Rajkot. Mr. Rahul has reached 90 per cent of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team.
He will continue his recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to be completely match-fit for the fourth and fifth Test.
The Men’s Selection Committee named Devdutt Padikkal as KL Rahul’s replacement for the third Test, starting February 15, 2024.
India’s updated Squad for the third Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KS Bharat (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Devdutt Padikkal.
JAY SHAH Honorary Secretary BCCI
