IND vs ENG: KL Rahul dominated out of Rajkot Test vs England; Padikkal named alternative

Devdutt Padikkal, the fashionable left-handed bat, has acquired his maiden call-up after Ok.L. Rahul – his Karnataka senior – has been dominated out of India’s third Test versus England, to be performed right here from Thursday.

“Rahul has reached 90 per cent match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, wrote in a press release.

“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.”

Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja – each of whom had missed the second Test with accidents had been named within the squad for the final three Tests pending health clearance.

While India’s squad that reassembled right here on Sunday had its first coaching session on the stadium on Monday, Rahul is known to have undergone a health take a look at on the NCA. With the selectors and the staff administration, in session with the BCCI medical staff, deciding to not danger a participant, the choice committee unanimously zeroed in on Padikkal being given a maiden Test call-up.

Interestingly, chief selector Ajit Agarkar witnessed Padikkal’s 151 for Karnataka towards Tamil Nadu within the Ranji Trophy.

It is known that Jadeja seemed to be match throughout Monday’s web session which was performed behind closed doorways.

It will probably be fascinating to see if Padikkal is made to attend for his India cap, with Sarfaraz Khan being the front-runner to interchange Shreyas Iyer in India’s center order. Sarfaraz was introduced in as Rahul’s alternative forward of the second Test and has been retained within the squad with Shreyas being dropped.