KL Rahul is poised to miss the last Test of the England series, which begins March 7 in Dharamsala. Rahul is currently in London to visit with a specialist about his quadricep tendon injury, which has kept him out of the second, third, and fourth Tests against England after he played the series opener in Hyderabad.
It is understood that his IPL side, the Lucknow Super Giants, is aware of his improvement and is confident about his availability for the competition, which starts on March 22. The Super Giants play their debut match on March 24 at Jaipur, against the Rajasthan Royals.
Rahul complained of stiffness in his right quadriceps shortly following India’s loss in the first Test. The early diagnosis from BCCI medical personnel at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where Rahul went for rehab, said he would be ready for the third Test, which was played in Rajkot from February 15 to 18. The selectors had named Rahul to the remaining three Tests, subject to fitness.
However, Rahul did not fly to Rajkot, citing the medical personnel that he was not completely sure in his quad. He then missed the Vizag and Ranchi Tests due to stiffness in his right leg, despite the fact that NCA scans revealed no warning flags. Rahul is believed to have spoken with the selectors to brief them on the situation. Rahul must obtain a clearance from the NCA before returning to cricket when the specialist in London has completed his report.
Rahul underwent surgery last year after “ripping apart the tendon from quadriceps” during fielding in an IPL match between Super Giants (of which he is captain) and Royal Challengers Bangalore in May. Rahul missed not just the rest of the IPL season, but also the World Test Championship final (held last June). Rahul then competed in the Asia Cup, followed by the World Cup.
Speaking to bcci.tv at the World Cup, Rahul stated that the injury had a significant psychological impact on him and made him question whether he would be able to regain confidence.
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